Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and computer program

ABSTRACT

An information processing apparatus includes a transmitting unit that transmits image data and related data that has a data quantity smaller than that of the image data and is related to the image data. The transmitting unit transmits the related data earlier than the image data.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application contains subject matter related to Japanese PatentApplication JP 2005-343186 filed in the Japanese Patent Office on Nov.29, 2005, the entire contents of which being incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, aninformation processing method, and a computer program, and, moreparticularly to an information processing apparatus, an informationprocessing method, and a computer program adapted to be capable ofcausing, in transmitting data to other apparatuses, the otherapparatuses to quickly grasp contents of the data.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, there is a recording apparatus that acquires, from acamcorder® that acquires and records material data such as image dataand sound data obtained by photographing and recording, the materialdata via a network and the like and records the material data.

For example, there is a disk recorder that acquires, from a videotaperecorder integrated with a camera that acquires image data and recordsthe image data on a videotape, the image data and dubs the image data onan optical disk (see, for example, JP-A-2004-171719)

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

However, in the camcorder, the material data itself is transmitted tothe recording apparatus. Therefore, when a data quantity of the materialdata is large, the recording apparatus that receives the material dataneeds a long time until the recording apparatus grasps contents of thematerial data transmitted.

It is desirable to make it possible to cause, in transmitting data toother apparatuses, the other apparatuses to quickly grasp contents ofthe data.

According to an embodiment of the invention, there is provided aninformation processing apparatus including a transmitting unitconfigured to transmit image data and related data that has a dataquantity smaller than that of the image data and is related to the imagedata. The transmitting unit transmits the related data earlier than theimage data.

The related data can be metadata of the image data, proxy image datahaving resolution lower than that of the image data, and first thumbnailimage data of the image data.

The transmitting unit can transmit the image data, the metadata, theproxy image data, and the first thumbnail image data in an order of themetadata, the first thumbnail image data, the proxy image data, and theimage data.

The information processing apparatus further includes a creating unitconfigured to create, when a transmission time necessary fortransmission of the proxy image data is equal to or longer than apredetermined time, second thumbnail image data of the image data. Thetransmitting unit can transmit, when the transmission time is equal toor longer than the predetermined time, the second thumbnail image datainstead of the proxy image data.

The information processing apparatus further includes a determining unitconfigured to determine a priority for the image data. The transmittingunit can transmit, on the basis of the priority determined by thedetermining unit, the image data and the related data of the image data.

According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided aninformation processing method including the step of transmitting relateddata, which has a data quantity smaller than that of image data and isrelated to the image data, earlier than the image data.

According to still another embodiment of the invention, there isprovided a computer program that causes a computer to execute processingincluding the step of transmitting related data, which has a dataquantity smaller than that of image data and is related to the imagedata, earlier than the image data.

According to still another embodiment of the invention, related data,which has a data quantity smaller than that of image data and is relatedto the image data, is transmitted earlier than the image data.

According to another embodiment of the invention, it is possible torecord data acquired and recorded in other apparatuses.

According to still another embodiment of the invention, in transmittingdata to other apparatuses, it is possible to cause the other apparatusesto quickly grasp contents of the data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a structure of a networksystem to which the invention is applied;

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining in detail a workflow of operators whoproduce a television program;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configurationof a camcorder in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configurationof a material using apparatus in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a screen that shows adirectory structure of files recorded in a removable medium;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of contents of items of groupingmetadata;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of grouping metadata;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a screen that shows adirectory structure of files recorded in recording unit;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a structure of an entity directory in FIG.8;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed when apresent image file is opened;

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed when aclip directory is opened;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional structureof the camcorder;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an example of a detailed structure ofa camcorder-information transmitting unit;

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional structureof the material using apparatus;

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing an example of a detailed structure ofa camcorder-information managing unit;

FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining communication of material data of aclip presently being acquired;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining display processing;

FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining file transmission processing;

FIG. 19 is a flowchart for explaining the file transmission processing;

FIG. 20 is a flowchart for explaining clip transmission processing;

FIG. 21 is a flowchart for explaining file reception processing;

FIG. 22 is a flowchart for explaining clip reception processing;

FIG. 23 is a flowchart for explaining deletion processing;

FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing another example of the detailedstructure of the camcorder-information transmitting unit;

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for setting atransmission mode;

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of a transmission object clip;

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example of a transmission list;

FIG. 28 is a flowchart for explaining transmission list creationprocessing;

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing another example of the transmission list;

FIG. 30 is a flowchart for explaining another kind of transmission listcreation processing;

FIG. 31 is a diagram showing still another example of the transmissionlist;

FIG. 32 is a flowchart for explaining still another kind of transmissionlist creation processing;

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing still another example of the transmissionlist;

FIG. 34 is a flowchart for explaining still another kind of transmissionlist creation processing;

FIG. 35 is a flowchart for explaining recording processing;

FIG. 36 is a flowchart for explaining another kind of recordingprocessing;

FIG. 37 is a block diagram showing an example of a detailed structure ofa freeze-mix processing unit;

FIG. 38 is a block diagram showing an example of a detailed structure ofa freeze-mix transmitting unit;

FIG. 39 is a diagram showing an example of a screen that shows adirectory structure of files including files of freeze-mix data recordedin the removable medium;

FIG. 40 is a diagram showing an example of freeze-mix metadata;

FIG. 41 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for designating afreeze-mix image;

FIG. 42 is a diagram showing an example of another screen fordesignating a freeze-mix image;

FIG. 43 is a diagram for explaining processing for transmittingfreeze-mix data;

FIG. 44 is a diagram for explaining processing for performingfreeze-mix;

FIG. 45 is a diagram showing an example of a detailed structure of atape-like reproduction unit;

FIG. 46 is a diagram showing an example of a reproduction list;

FIG. 47 is a flowchart for explaining registration processing;

FIG. 48 is a flowchart for explaining deletion processing;

FIG. 49 is a block diagram showing an example of constitutions offunctions for performing communication with the material usingapparatus;

FIG. 50 is a flowchart for explaining power supply control processing;and

FIG. 51 is a flowchart for explaining communication processing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the invention will be hereinafter explained. Acorrespondence relation between elements of the invention andembodiments shown in described in the specification and the figures isillustrated as follows. This description is a description for confirmingthat embodiments supporting the invention are described in thespecification and shown in the drawings. Therefore, even if there is anembodiment that is described in the specification or shown in thefigures but is not described herein as an embodiment corresponding to anelement of the invention, this does not mean that the embodiment doesnot correspond to the element. On the contrary, even if an embodiment isdescribed herein as an embodiment corresponding to an element of theinvention, this does not mean that the embodiment does not correspond toelements other than the element.

According to an embodiment of the invention, there is provided aninformation processing apparatus including a transmitting unit (e.g., atransmitting unit 306 in FIG. 13) for transmitting image data andrelated data that has a data quantity smaller than that of the imagedata and is related to the image data. The transmitting unit transmitsthe related data earlier than the image data (e.g., processing in stepS128 in FIG. 20).

The information processing apparatus further includes creating unit(e.g., a creating unit 305 in FIG. 13) for creating, when a transmissiontime necessary for transmission of proxy image data is equal to orlonger than a predetermined time, second thumbnail image data of theimage data. The transmitting unit transmits, when the transmission timeis equal to or longer than the predetermined time, the second thumbnailimage data instead of the proxy image data (processing in step S130 inFIG. 20).

The information processing apparatus further includes a determining unit(a list managing unit 401 in FIG. 24) for determining a priority for theimage data. The transmitting unit transmits, on the basis of thepriority determined by the determining unit, the image data and therelated data of the image data.

According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided aninformation processing method including the step of transmitting relateddata, which has a data quantity smaller than that of image data and isrelated to the image data, earlier than the image data (processing instep S128 in FIG. 20).

According to still another embodiment of the invention, there isprovided a computer program that causes a computer to execute processingincluding the step of transmitting related data, which has a dataquantity smaller than that of image data and is related to the imagedata, earlier than the image data (e.g., processing in step S128 in FIG.20).

Specific embodiments to which the invention is applied will behereinafter explained in detail with reference to the accompanyingdrawings.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a structure of a network system 1 to whichthe invention is applied.

The network system 1 in FIG. 1 is a program production support systemused for production of television programs and the like. A process ofproduction of a television program is basically classified into planning(structuring), recording, and edition (production). The planning(structuring) is a step of supervising the entire production of thetelevision program and is a step of planning and designing thetelevision program to be produced and creating a scenario (an outline)of the television program.

The recording is a step of actually performing recording in a productionsite in accordance with, for example, a production instruction and thescenario and is a step of acquiring material data such as image data andsound data in respective scenes forming the television program andrecording a photographing (including acquisition of sound) situation.The edition (production) is a step of editing the material data obtainedby the recording on the basis of the production instruction, thescenario, and the like and is a step of adding other information (CG/SI(Computer Graphics/SuperImpose), a narration, or material videos, music,etc) not obtained in the recording to the material data obtained by therecording or the material data after the edition (an edition result) tocreate a complete package, which is data completed as a televisionprogram (material data).

The network system 1 in FIG. 1 is a program production support systemthat supports work in such respective steps. The network system 1includes camcorders 21 and 22, access points 23 and 24, servers 25 and26, a firewall 27, a material server 28, a material using apparatus 29,a complete package server 30, a network 31, and an intranet 32.

The camcorders 21 and 22 are apparatuses used for recording of a newsprogram, which is a television program, and photographing (includingacquisition of sound) of a state of a game of sports, a movie, and thelike. The camcorders 21 and 22 record material data and the likeobtained by photographing subjects in, for example, a removable media 33such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk like a DVD (Digital Versatiledisc), a magneto-optical disk, a memory card, or a detachable hard disk,or a material memory 108 (FIG. 3 referred to later). The camcorders 21and 22 make connection to the access point 23 or 24 via radio andtransmit the material data to other apparatuses (the material usingapparatus 29, etc.) via the network 31 such as the Internet connected tothe access points 23 and 24.

The camcorders 21 and 22 reproduce the material data from the removablemedium 33 inserted therein and transmit the material data to the otherapparatuses. Moreover, the camcorders 21 and 22 generate information orthe like useful at the time of edition processing at a later stage suchas information on the recording on the basis of an input of a user andassociate the information or the like with the material data, which isobtained in the camcorders 21 and 22, as metadata.

The servers 25 and 26 are connected to the camcorders 21 and 22 via theaccess point 23 or 24 and the network 31. The material data acquired bythe camcorders 21 and 22 is supplied to the servers 25 and 26 andrecorded therein when necessary.

The intranet 32 is connected to the network 31 via the firewall 27. Thefirewall 27 prohibits illegal access from the network 31 to the intranet32.

The material server 28, the material using apparatus 29, and thecomplete packet server 30 are also connected to the intranet 32.

The material server 28 accumulates material data supplied from thematerial using apparatus 29 via the intranet 32. The material usingapparatus 29 records material data transmitted (uploaded) from thecamcorders 21 and 22 via the access points 23 and 24, the network 31,the firewall 27, and the intranet 32. The material using apparatus 29supplies the material data recorded therein to the material server 28.

The material using apparatus 29 reads out the material data storedtherein or the material data accumulated in the material server 28 andcreates a complete package. The material using apparatus 29 supplies thecomplete package to the complete package server 30 via the intranet 32.The complete package server 30 accumulates the complete package suppliedfrom the material using apparatus 29.

In the following description, when it is unnecessary to distinguish thecamcorders 21 and 22 from each other, the camcorders 21 and 22 arecollectively referred to as the camcorder 21. When it is unnecessary todistinguish the access points 23 and 24 from each other, the accesspoints 23 and 24 are collectively referred to as the access point 23.

A workflow of operators who produce a television program in the networksystem 1 in FIG. 1 will be explained in detail with reference to FIG. 2.In FIG. 2, the operators create a news program.

As shown in FIG. 2, in step S1, a planning operator who performs a stepof planning acquires information on incidents (events), which make news,and proceeds to step S2. In step S2, the planning operator examines(determines) recording contents on the basis of the information acquiredin step S1.

The recording contents are distinguished from each other for each of theincidents (topics). It is assumed that there are plural recordingcontents determined in step S2. The planning operator acquires recordingIDs, which are IDs peculiar to the recording contents, from a not-shownNRC (news room computer) that manages a television program for each ofthe recording contents.

After the processing in step S2, the planning operator proceeds to stepS3 and examines a recording site (a photographing place) and a recordingdate and time (a photographing date and time). After the processing instep S3, the planning operator proceeds to step S4 and inputs a frame (atime frame) for broadcasting the recording contents examined in step S2in a schedule of a news program managed (stored) by the NRC to secure atime frame in the news program. The planning operator examinesexplanation contents for explaining the recorded contents, creates adraft of the explanation contents, and causes the NRC to store thedraft. Moreover, the planning operator determines a recording systemsuch as a person in charge of recording (a cameraman), an ID of thecamcorder 21 that performs recording (hereinafter referred to asapparatus ID), and a recording schedule (a timetable in the recordingcontents).

After the processing in step S4, the planning operator proceeds to stepS5 and determines an edition framework representing a broadcasting orderof the recording contents within the time frame secured in step S2.After the processing in step S5, an edition operator who performs a stepof edition creates a project (an edition work unit) in the materialusing apparatus 29 on the basis of the time frame secured in step S4 andcauses the material using apparatus 29 to store the draft of theexplanation contents created in step S4.

After the processing in step S6, the edition operator proceeds to stepS7 and creates a directory (a folder) and the like for each of therecording IDs in the material using apparatus 29. The recording ID isassociated with this directory. After the processing in step S5, arecording operator who performs a step of recording proceeds to step S8and performs preparation for recording. Specifically, the recordingoperator causes the camcorder 21, which records the recording contentscorresponding to the recording ID acquired from the NRC, to record therecording ID. The recording operator causes the camcorder 21 to recordmetadata of a group (hereinafter referred to as grouping metadata) foreach of the recording IDs described later on the basis of the editionframework determined in step S5.

After the processing in step S8, the recording operator proceeds to stepS9, visits, for example, the recording site at the recording date andtime examined in step S3, and records the recording contents examined instep S2 using the camcorder 21. The recording operator transmitsmaterial data obtained as a result of the recording and the recording IDfrom the camcorder 21 to the material using apparatus 29 via the accesspoint 23, the network 31, and the like. Consequently, in the materialusing apparatus 29, the material data is recorded in a directorycorresponding to the recording ID.

After the processing in steps S7 and S9, the edition operator proceedsto step S1 and edits the material data stored in the directory of thematerial using apparatus 29 and proceeds to step S11. In step S11, theedition operator saves (stores) the material data obtained as a resultof the edition in the complete packet server 30 as a complete packetfrom the material using apparatus 29 via the intranet 32.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configurationof the camcorder 21 in FIG. 1.

The camcorder 21 in FIG. 3 includes a camera block 51, a recorder block52, a communication block 53, a power supply block 54, a microphone 55,and a speaker 56.

The camera block 51 includes a lens unit 71, a photographing unit 72, avideo processor 73, a video encoding unit 74, a video I/F (Interface)75, a video processor I/F 76, a camera controller 77, a cameracontroller I/F 78, a viewfinder I/F 79, a viewfinder 80, an operationunit 81, an operation unit I/F 82, a microcomputer 83, a recorder I/F84, and a bus 85. The camera block 51 photographs a subject and suppliesimage data (video data) obtained as a result of the photographing to therecorder block 52.

The photographing unit 72 includes a CCD (Charge Coupled Device). Thephotographing unit 72 acquires light from the subject via the lens unit71 to photograph the subject. The photographing unit 72 supplies ananalog image signal obtained as a result of the photographing to thevideo processor 73. The video processor 73 applies A/D (Analog/Digital)conversion, processing for adjusting an image, and the like to the imagesignal from the photographing unit 72. The video processor 73 suppliesdigital image data obtained as a result of the A/D conversion, theprocessing, and the like to the video encoding unit 74 or the videoprocessor I/F 76.

The video encoding unit 74 compresses and encodes the image data fromthe video processor 73 in, for example, the MPEG (Moving Picture ExpertsGroup) 2 system and supplies image data obtained as a result of thecompression encoding to the video I/F 75.

The video I/F 75, the video processor I/F 76, the camera controller I/F78, the viewfinder I/F 79, the operation unit I/F 82, the microcomputer83, and the recorder I/F 84 are connected to one another via the bus 85.

The video I/F 75 supplies the image data from the video encoding unit 74to the recorder I/F 84 via the bus 85. The video processor I/F 76supplies the image data from the video processor 73 to the viewfinderI/F 79 via the bus 85.

The camera controller 77 controls the photographing unit 72 on the basisof a control signal supplied from the camera controller I/F 78 tocontrol an aperture and zoom. The camera controller I/F 78 supplies acontrol signal supplied from the microcomputer 83 via the bus 85 to thecamera controller 77.

The viewfinder I/F 79 supplies image data supplied from the videoprocessor I/F 76 or the recorder I/F 84 or various metadata suppliedfrom the recorder I/F 84 to the viewfinder 80. The viewfinder 80displays an image corresponding to the image data or the metadata fromthe viewfinder I/F 79.

The operation unit 81 receives operation (e.g., an instruction forphotographing) applied to the camera block 51 by the user and supplies acamera operation signal indicating the operation to the operation unitI/F 82. The operation unit I/F 82 supplies the camera operation signalsupplied from the operation unit 81 to the microcomputer 83 and therecorder I/F 84 via the bus 85.

The microcomputer 83 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM(Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory) The CPU of themicrocomputer 83 executes a computer program stored in the ROM tocontrol the respective units of the camera block 51 on the basis of thecamera operation signal from the operation unit 81. For example, the CPUsupplies a control signal to the camera controller 77 via the cameracontroller I/F 78 to control an aperture and zoom.

Programs to be executed by the CPU, data, and the like are appropriatelystored in the RAM of the microcomputer 83. For example, set valuesconcerning photographing in the camera block 51 (e.g., white balance,gain, filter, aperture, shutter speed, zoom, and focus) (hereinafterreferred to as camera set values) are stored in the RAM of themicrocomputer 83. The CPU of the microcomputer 83 supplies a controlsignal to the camera controller 77 on the basis of the camera setvalues. The CPU of the microcomputer 83 supplies the camera set valuesstored in the RAM to the recorder I/F 84.

The recorder I/F 84 exchanges data with the recorder block 52. Forexample, the recorder I/F 84 supplies image data or metadata suppliedfrom a camera I/F 109 of the recorder block 52 to the viewfinder I/F 79via the bus 85. The recorder I/F 84 supplies the image data suppliedfrom the video I/F 75, the camera operation signal supplied from theoperation unit I/F 82, and the camera set values from the microcomputer83 to the recorder block 52.

The recorder block 52 includes an audio processor 100, an audio encodingunit 101, an audio I/F 102, an audio processor I/F 103, a speaker I/F104, an audio decoding unit 105, a microcomputer 106, a material memoryI/F 107, a material memory 108, a camera I/F 109, an LCD (Liquid CrystalDisplay) I/F 110, a video decoding unit 111, an LCD 112, a media I/F113, a communication block I/F 114, and a bus 115. The recorder block 52records material data such as image data obtained by the camera block 51and sound data corresponding to an analog sound signal acquired by themicrophone 55.

The audio processor 100 performs A/D conversion, processing foradjusting sound, and the like in response to the sound signal suppliedfrom the microphone 55. The audio processor 100 supplies digital sounddata (audio data) obtained as a result of the A/D conversion, theprocessing, and the like to the audio encoding unit 101 and the audioprocessor I/F 103. The audio encoding unit 101 encodes the sound datafrom the audio processor 100 in, for example, the linear PCM (Pulse CodeModulation) system and supplies sound data obtained as a result of theencoding to the audio I/F 102.

The audio I/F 102, the audio processor I/F 103, the speaker I/F 104, themicrocomputer 106, the material memory I/F 107, the camera I/F 109, theLCD I/F 110, the media I/F 113, and the communication block I/F 114 areconnected to one another via the bus 115.

The audio I/F 102 supplies the sound data from the audio encoding unit101 to the material memory 108 or the media I/F 113 via the bus 115. Theaudio processor I/F 103 supplies the sound data from the audio processor100 to the speaker I/F 104 via the bus 115 as it is.

The speaker I/F 104 supplies the sound data supplied from the audioprocessor I/F 103, the material memory I/F 107, or the media I/F 113 tothe audio decoding unit 105. The audio decoding unit 105 decodes thesound data when necessary. The audio decoding unit 105 supplies sounddata obtained as a result of the decoding to the speaker 56 and causesthe speaker 56 to output sound corresponding to the sound data.

The microcomputer 106 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The CPU of themicrocomputer 106 executes a computer program stored in the ROM tocontrol the respective units of the recorder block 52 on the basis of acommunication operation signal indicating operation of the operationunit 131 by the user supplied from the communication bock I/F 114.

For example, the CPU of the microcomputer 106 creates metadata (non-realtime metadata or grouping metadata described later) of material data onthe basis of information on recording and various set values suppliedfrom the media I/F 113 and the like.

The CPU of the microcomputer 106 creates disk metadata or the like thatis metadata for all data recorded in the removable medium 33. The CPU ofthe microcomputer 106 creates, on the basis of image data supplied fromthe camera I/F 109, proxy image data having low resolution compared withthe image data.

The CPU of the microcomputer 106 samples (extracts at a fixed interval)the image data supplied from the camera I/F 109 when necessary andcreates thumbnail image data (image data of a still image) as samplingthumbnail image data on the basis of the image data sampled.

Moreover, the CPU of the microcomputer 106 controls recording in orreproduction from the material memory 108 and the removable medium 33.

The microcomputer 106 simultaneously performs recording in andreproduction from the material memory 108 or the removable medium 33when necessary. In this case, the microcomputer 106 is capable ofreproducing recorded data among files currently recorded in the materialmemory 108 or the removable medium 33.

The CPU of the microcomputer 106 creates image data for displayingvarious screens and supplies the image data to the LCD I/F 110. The CPUof the microcomputer 106 judges an operation state of the camcorder 21(e.g. recording, play, slow play, fast play, or stop) on the basis of acamera operation signal supplied from the camera I/F 109 and acommunication operation signal supplied from the communication block I/F114 and creates data indicating the operation state. The CPU of themicrocomputer 106 supplies the data representing the operation state ofthe camcorder 21 (hereinafter referred to as operation state data) andthe camera set values supplied from the recorder I/F 84 to thecommunication block I/F 136 via the bus 115. Programs to be executed bythe CPU, data, and the like are appropriately stored in the RAM of themicrocomputer 106.

For example, the material memory I/F 107 accesses the material memory108 at high speed and records data in or reproduces data from thematerial memory 108.

For example, the material memory I/F 107 supplies material data to thematerial memory 108 according to the control by the microcomputer 106and causes the material memory 108 to store the material data as a file.The material memory I/F 107 supplies proxy image data to the materialmemory 108 according to the control by the microcomputer 106 and causesthe material memory 108 to store the proxy image data as a file. Thematerial memory I/F 107 supplies metadata (metadata of the materialdata, sampling thumbnail image data, disk metadata, etc.) to thematerial memory 108 according to the control by the microcomputer 106and causes the material memory 108 to store the metadata as a file.

The material memory I/F 107 reproduces material data from the materialmemory 108 and supplies sound data and image data in the material datato the speaker I/F 104 and the LCD I/F 110, respectively. Moreover, thematerial memory I/F 107 reproduces material data, proxy image data,metadata, and the like from the material memory 108 and supplies thedata to the communication block I/F 114.

The camera I/F 109 is connected to the recorder I/F 84 of the camerablock 51 and, for example, receives image data, a camera operationsignal, and camera set values from the recorder I/F 84. The camera I/F109 supplies the image data, the camera operation signal, and the cameraset values to the microcomputer 106 via the bus 115 and supplies theimage data to the material memory I/F 107 or the media I/F 113. The LCDI/F 110 supplies the image data supplied from the material memory I/F107 or the media I/F 113 to the video decoding unit 111.

The video decoding unit 111 decodes the image data from the LCD I/F 110when necessary and supplies image data obtained as a result of thedecoding to the LCD 112. The LCD 112 displays an image corresponding tothe image data from the video decoding unit 111.

The media I/F 113 supplies material data to the removable medium 33according to the control by the microcomputer 106 and causes theremovable medium 33 to store the material data as a file. The media I/F113 supplies proxy image data to the removable medium 33 according tothe control by the microcomputer 106 and causes the removable medium 33to store the proxy image data as a file. The media I/F 113 suppliesmetadata (metadata, sampling thumbnail image data, disk metadata, etc.of the material data) to the removable medium 33 according to thecontrol by the microcomputer 106 and causes the removable medium 33 tostore the metadata as a file.

Moreover, the media I/F 113 reads out information on recording andvarious set values stored in the removable medium 33 inserted in thecamcorder 21 and supplies the information and the various set values tothe microcomputer 106.

The information on recording, the various set values, and the like areexplained as being inputted to the microcomputer 106 from the removablemedium 33 via the media I/F 113. However, the user may operate theoperation unit 131 to input the information on recording, the variousset values, and the like to the microcomputer 106.

The media I/F 113 reproduces material data from the removable medium 33and supplies sound data and image data in the material data to thespeaker I/F 104 and the LCD I/F 110, respectively. The media I/F 113reproduces material data, proxy image data, metadata, and the like fromthe removable medium 33 and supplies the data to the communication blockI/F 114.

The communication block I/F 114 is connected to a recorder I/F 135(described later) of the communication block 53 and exchanges data withthe communication block 53. For example, the communication block I/F 114supplies image data or the like of an image to be an object offreeze-mix (hereinafter referred to as freeze-mix image) supplied fromthe recorder I/F 135 of the communication block 53 to the materialmemory I/F 107 or the media I/F 113 and causes the material memory 108or the removable medium 33 to store the image data.

The freeze-mix unit processing for causing the viewfinder 80 to displayan image photographed in the past in a translucent state as a sampleimage used as a sample at the time of photographing. In other words, animage to be an object of the freeze-mix is a sample image in thefreeze-mix.

The communication block I/F 114 supplies a communication operationsignal supplied from the recorder I/F 135 to the microcomputer 106 viathe bus 115.

The communication block I/F 114 supplies material data, proxy imagedata, metadata, and the like supplied from the material memory I/F 107or the media I/F 113 to the recorder I/F 135 and supplies operationstate data and camera set values supplied from the microcomputer 104 tothe recorder I/F 135.

The communication block 53 includes an operation unit 131, an operationunit I/F 132, a power supply unit I/F 133, a microcomputer 134, arecorder I/F 135, a network I/F 136, and a bus 137. The communicationblock 53 performs communication of data with other apparatuses via theaccess point 23 and the network 31 in FIG. 1 and controls a power supplyfor the recorder block 52.

The operation unit 131 receives operation applied to the recorder block52 and the communication block 53 (e.g., an instruction of reproduction)and supplies a communication operation signal indicating the operationto the operation unit I/F 132. The operation unit I/F 132, the powersupply unit I/F 133, the microcomputer 134, the recorder I/F 135, andthe network I/F 136 are connected to one another via the bus 137.

The operation unit I/F 132 supplies the communication operation signalfrom the operation unit 131 to the microcomputer 134 or the recorder I/F135 via the bus 137. The power supply unit I/F 133 supplies a powersupply control signal for controlling supply of power to the recorderblock 52, which is supplied from the microcomputer 134 via the bus 137,to the communication block I/F 152 of the power supply block 54.

The microcomputer 134 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The CPU of themicrocomputer 134 executes a computer program stored in the ROM tocontrol the respective units of the communication block 53 on the basisof the communication operation signal supplied from the operation unit13. The CPU of the microcomputer 134 generates a power supply controlsignal on the basis of a detection signal indicating a result ofdetection of the access point 23 supplied from the network I/F 136 andsupplies the power supply control signal to the power supply unit I/F133.

Programs to be executed by the CPU and data are stored in the RAM of themicrocomputer 134. For example, material data, proxy image data, ormetadata supplied via the recorder I/F 135 and transmitted via thenetwork I/F 136 is temporarily stored in the RAM. Consequently, evenwhen speed of reproduction of the data from the removable medium 33exceeds transmission speed, it is possible to surely transmit the data.

The recorder I/F 135 is connected to the communication block I/F 114 ofthe recorder block 52 and supplies, for example, image data of afreeze-mix image supplied from the network I/F 136 and the communicationcontrol signal from the operation unit 132 to the communication blockI/F 114.

The recorder I/F 135 supplies the material data, the proxy image data,the metadata, the operation state data, the camera set values, and thelike supplied from the communication block I/F 114 to the microcomputer134 via the bus 137.

The network I/F 136 performs communication with other apparatuses (e.g.,the material using apparatus 29) via the access point 23, the network31, and the like in FIG. 1 in accordance with an FTP (File TransferProtocol), a UDP (User Datagram Protocol), or the like. For example, thenetwork I/F 136 transmits material data, proxy image data, metadata, andthe like supplied from the recorder I/F 135 to the material usingapparatus 29 via the access point 23, the network 31, the firewall 27,and the intranet 32 in an order of the metadata, the proxy image data,and the material data. In other words, the network I/F 136 transmitsdata related to the material data having less data quantity comparedwith the material data such as the metadata and the proxy image dataearlier than the material data.

The network I/F 136 transmits operation state data, camera set values,and the like supplied from the microcomputer 134 to the material usingapparatus 29.

For example, the network I/F 136 receives image data of a freeze-miximage transmitted from the material using apparatus 29 via the intranet32, the firewall 27, the network 31, and the access point 23 andsupplies the image data to the recorder I/F 135 via the bus 137.Moreover, the network I/F 136 detects the access point 23 and supplies adetection signal indicating a result of the detection to themicrocomputer 134.

The power supply block 54 includes a power supply unit 151 and acommunication block I/F 152. The power supply block 54 supplies power(electric power) to the camera block 51, the recorder block 52, thecommunication block 53, the microphone 55, and the speaker 56.

The power supply unit 151 controls the supply of power to the recorderblock 52 on the basis of a power supply control signal supplied from thecommunication block I/F 152. The communication block I/F 152 supplies apower supply control signal supplied from the power supply unit I/F 133of the communication block 53 to the power supply unit 151.

In the following description, for convenience of explanation, it isassumed that data such as material data, proxy image data, and metadataare recorded in the removable medium 33.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configurationof the material using apparatus 29 in FIG. 1.

A CPU 201 executes various kinds of processing in accordance withprograms recorded in a ROM 202 or a recording unit 208. Programs to beexecuted by the CPU 201, data, and the like are appropriately stored ina RAM 203. The CPU 201, the ROM 202, and the RAM 203 are connected toone another via a bus 204.

An input/output interface 205 is also connected to the CPU 201 via thebus 204. An input unit 206 including a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone,and a receiving unit that receives a command transmitted from anot-shown remote controller and an output unit 207 including a displayand a speaker are connected to the input/output interface 205. The CPU201 executes various kinds of processing in response to commandsinputted from the input unit 206. The CPU 201 outputs results of theprocessing to the output unit 207. For example, the CPU 201 createsimage data for displaying various screens and causes the output unit 207to display the screens.

The recording unit 208 connected to the input/output interface 205includes a hard disk and records programs to be executed by the CPU 201and various data. A communicating unit 209 communicates with externalapparatuses via the intranet 32. The communicating unit 209 may acquirea computer program via the intranet 32 and record the computer programin the recording unit 208.

A drive 210 connected to the input/output interface 205 drives, when aremovable medium 211 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, amagneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory is inserted therein, theremovable medium 211 and acquires a computer program, data, and the likerecorded in the removable medium 211. The computer program and the dataacquired are transferred to the recording unit 208 when necessary andrecorded in the recording unit 208.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a screen showing a directorystructure of files, which are recorded in the removable medium 33 inFIG. 1, displayed on the LCD 112 in FIG. 3.

In FIG. 5, a symbol 215 represents one directory. Although not denotedby a reference numeral, each of other symbols identical with the symbol(directory) 215 also represents one directory. A symbol 216 indicatesone file. Although not denoted by a reference numeral, each of othersymbols identical with the symbol (file) 216 also indicates one file.

In the following description, unless specifically noted otherwise, adirectory and a symbol of the directory are regarded as identical.Similarly, a file and a symbol of the file are regarded as identical. Tofacilitate identification of each of the directories and each of thefiles, parentheses are written behind the file and the directory andnames of the file and the directory are described in the parentheses.

In the example in FIG. 5, a GROUP directory 215 and a clip rootdirectory (CLPR) are provided in the removable medium 33.

Grouping metadata files 216 (G0001M01.txt to G0003M01.txt), which arefiles of grouping metadata (FIGS. 6 and 7 referred to later) of a groupfor each of recording IDs of all clips (details of the clips aredescribed later) recorded in the removable medium 33, are provided inthe GROUP directory 215.

Specifically, for example, FIG. 5 shows an example in the case in whichdata of clips corresponding to three recording IDs is recorded in theremovable medium 33. Each of grouping metadata of a group for each threerecording IDs is divided into three files, namely, a first groupingmetadata file (G0001M01.txt), a second grouping metadata file(G0002M01.txt), and a third grouping metadata file (G0003M01.txt), andrecorded.

Data of the clips recorded in the removable medium 33 are divided intodifferent directories for each of the clips and managed in the clip rootdirectory (CLPR).

The clip is a unit of the number of times of photographing processing ofthe camcorder 21. Besides, the clip also indicates a unit indicatingtime from the start till the end of photographing of the photographingprocessing, indicates a unit indicating length of various data obtainedby the photographing processing, and indicates a unit indicating a dataquantity of the various data obtained by the photographing processing.Moreover, the clip may indicate an aggregate itself of the various data.

Here, the clip indicates, for example, an aggregate of image dataobtained by one photographing processing (photographing processing fromthe start till the end of photographing), sound data corresponding tothe image data, and metadata, and the like.

Specifically, for example, FIG. 5 shows an example of the case in whichdata of three clips are recorded in the removable medium 33. Each of thedata of the three clips is divided into three directories, namely, afirst clip directory (C0001), a second clip directory (C0002), and athird clip directory (C0003) and managed.

In other words, each data of a first clip recorded in the removablemedium 33 is managed as files of the first clip directory (C0001) andthe subsequent clip directories.

Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, in this first clipdirectory (C0001), the following files are provided: a master file(C0001C01.SMI) that is a file for managing this clip, an image file(C0001V01.MXF) that is a file including image data of this clip, soundfiles (C0001A01.MXF to C0001A08.MXF) that are eight files includingsound data of respective channels of this clip, a proxy image data file(C0001S01.MXF) that is a file including proxy image data of this clip, anon-real time metadata file (C0001M01.XML) that is a file includingmetadata that does not need to have a real time nature (hereinafterreferred to as non-real time metadata) such as a type (e.g., camcorder)and an apparatus ID of an apparatus that has acquired this clip, cameraset values at the time of photographing (acquisition) of the clip, and aphotographing date and time, a real time metadata file (C0001R01.BIM)that is a file including metadata that needs to have a real time nature(hereinafter referred to as real time metadata) of this clip, and asampling thumbnail image file (C0001T01.JPG) that is a file includingsampling thumbnail image data.

In this way, in the example in FIG. 5, each of the image data, the proxyimage data, and the real time metadata, which are data that need to havea real time nature at the time of reproduction, is managed as one fileto prevent a readout time from increasing when the data are necessaryseparately.

As described above, the sound data also needs to have a real time natureat the time of reproduction. However, in order to cope withmulti-channeling of sound such as a 7.1 channel, eight channels areprepared and the sound data is managed as different files, respectively.In other words, although the sound data is explained as being managed aseight files here, the number of files corresponding to the sound datamay be seven or less or may be nine or more.

Similarly, the image data, the proxy image data, and the real timemetadata may be managed as two or more files, respectively, depending ona case.

In the example in FIG. 5, the non-real time metadata file (C0001M01.XML)is described in the XML format in order to give universality to thefile. However, the real time metadata file (C0001R01.BIM) is a file of aBIM (Binary format for MPEG-7 data) format obtained by compiling filesof the XML format in order to reduce processing time for reproductionprocessing and loads necessary for the processing.

In the example of a structure of files of the first clip directory(C0001) described above, in all the clip directories, that is, in theexample in FIG. 5, in the second clip directory (C0002) and the thirdclip directory (C0003), it is possible to apply the same example of astructure of files. Therefore, explanations of the clip directories areomitted. The sampling thumbnail image file (C0001T01.JPG), which is afile including sampling thumbnail image data, does not have to berecorded.

Grouping metadata will be explained with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIG. 6 shows an example of items of contents of grouping metadata.

In the example in FIG. 6, the items of the contents of the groupingmetadata are “group title”, “recording ID”, “classification”,“original”, “group creation date and time”, “transmission destination”,“photographing date and time”, “photographing place”, “photographer”,“photographing contents”, and “photographed material (file)”.

A detail of the item “group title” is a title indicating recordingcontents of the group. A detail of the item “recording ID” is therecording ID acquired from the NRC in step S2 in FIG. 2. A detail of theitem “classification” is a type (e.g., freeze-mix or recording) of clipsclassified into the group. A detail of the item “original” isinformation indicating whether data of clips classified into the groupis original data as recorded or data processed after recording. A detailof the item “group creation date and time” is information on a date andtime when the grouping metadata is created.

The item “transmission destination” includes an item “name”, an item“Email address”, and an item “website URL (Uniform Resource Locator)”. Adetail of the item “name” is a name of a transmission destination ofclips classified into the group. A detail of the item “Email address” isan Email address of the transmission destination. A detail of the item“website URL” is a URL of a website of the transmission destination.

As a detail of the item “Email address”, plural Email addresses may bedescribed. As a detail of the item “website URL”, URLs of pluralwebsites may be described.

The item “photographing date and time” includes an item “planned” and anitem “executed”. A detail of the item “planned” is information on therecording date and time examined in step S3 in FIG. 2. A detail of theitem “executed” is information of actual recording date and time. Theitem “photographing place” includes an item “planned” and an item“executed”. A detail of the item “planned” is information on therecording site examined in step S3. A detail of the item “executed” isinformation on an actual recording site. This actual recording site ispositional information indicating an actual position of the camcorder 21acquired at the time of recording by, for example, a not-shown GPS(Global Positioning System) provided in the camcorder 21.

The item “photographer” includes an item “planned” and an item“executed”. A detail of the item “planned” is a name of the person incharge of recording determined in step S4. A detail of the item“executed” is a name of an actual person in charge of recording. Adetail of the item “photographing contents” includes an item“instructed” and an item “actual (memo)”. A detail of the item“instructed” is information on recording contents such as a recordingschedule. A detail of the item “actual (memo)” is information on actualrecording contents.

The item “photographed material” includes an item “title”, an item “UMID(Unique Material Identifier)”, an item “memo”, and an item “transmissionhistory”. A detail of the item “title” is names (titles) of the clipdirectories (C0001 to C0003) of the clips classified into the group. Adetail of the item “UMID” is UMIDs (details will be described later) ofthe clips. A detail of the item “memo” is arbitrary information inputtedby the user. A detail of the item “transmission history” is informationindicating presence or absence of transmission of the respective clipsclassified into the group.

The UMID is an identifier peculiar to each clip for identifying the clipglobally uniquely and indicates an identifier set by the SMPTE (Societyof Motion Picture and Television Engineers). This UMID is included in,for example, an image file or a non-real time metadata.

FIG. 7 indicates an example of grouping metadata described in the textformat.

In the grouping metadata in FIG. 7, following an item, a detail of theitem is described. Details of items are punctuated by “, (comma)”.

Specifically, in the example in FIG. 7, following “title” indicating theitem “group title”, “Mt. Fuji viewed from Lake Yamanaka”, which is adetail of the item “group title”, is described. After that, “category”indicating the item “classification”, “recording”, which is a detail ofthe item “classification”, “original” indicating the item “original”,and “Yes” indicating original data, which is a detail of the item“original”, are described in order.

After that, in the same manner, “date created” indicating the item“group creation date and time”, “2005/5/16”, which is a detail of theitem “group creation date and time”, “date directed” indicating the item“planned” of the item “photographing date and time”, “2005/5/31”, whichis a detail of the item “planned”, “date carried out” indicating theitem “executed” of the item “photographing date and time”, “2005/5/31”,which is a detail of the item “executed”, “place directed” indicatingthe item “planned” of the item “photographing place”, “Lake YamanakaPlain”, which is a detail of the item “planned”, “place carried out”indicating the item “executed” of the item “photographing place”, and“Lake Yamanaka Plain”, which is a detail of the item “executed”, aredescribed in order.

After that, “person directed” indicating the item “planned” of the item“photographer”, “Kamei, Takemura”, which is a detail of the item“planned”, “person carried out” indicating the item “executed” of theitem “photographer”, “Kamei, Takemura”, which is a detail of the item“executed”, “description directed” indicating the item “instructed” ofthe item “photographing contents”, “XXXX”, which is a detail of the item“instructed”, “description occurred” indicating the item “actual (memo)”of the item “photographing content”, and “XXXX”, which is a detail ofthe item “actual (memo)” are described in order.

Moreover, after that, “file title” indicating the item “title” of theitem “photographed material (file)”, “XXXX”, which is a title of a firstfile of clips classified into the group in a detail of the item “title”,“file ID” indicating the item “UMID” of the item “photographedmaterial”, “XXXX”, which is a UMID of the first file in a detail of theitem “UMID”, “memo” indicating the item “memo” of the item “photographedmaterial”, and “XXXX”, which is a detail of the item “memo”, aredescribed in order.

After that, as in the first file, the item “title”, the item “UMID”, andthe item “memo” of second and third files, as well as details of theitems are described.

FIG. 8 shows an example of a screen showing a directory structure offiles, which are recorded in the recording unit 208, displayed on theoutput unit 207 of the material using apparatus 29 in FIG. 4.

Directories shown in FIG. 8 are created by the edition operatorsperforming work for creation in step S7 in FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 8, a program directory 231 is provided in the recordingunit 208. In this program directory 231, files of clips forming atelevision program are subordinate directories. In the example in FIG.8, files of clips forming a news program at noon on Aug. 15, 20XX areprovided in subordinate directories.

A news A directory 232 corresponding to a frame in the news program isprovided in the program directory 231. Directories of the camcorder 21that records recording contents forming the news A are provided insubordinate directories of the news A directory 232.

In the example in FIG. 8, one camcorder directory 233 (NWC-001) isprovided. An entity directory 234, a temporary saving directory 235, andan accumulation directory 236 are provided under the camcorder directory233.

File indicating a present (real time) state of the camcorder 21 areprovided under the entity directory 234.

Specifically, files (imaginary files) corresponding to data indicating apresent operation state of the camcorder 21, present camera block setvalues of the camcorder 21, material data of a clip being currentlyacquired or reproduced in the camcorder 21, display of contents and thelike of files being currently recorded the removable medium 33 insertedin the camcorder 21, and control (e.g., recording, play, slow play, fastplay, and stop) of the camcorder 21 are provided under the entitydirectory 234.

In this way, since the files indicating a real time state of thecamcorder 21 are recorded in the entity directory 234, a user of thematerial using apparatus 29 can grasp a present recording state in thecamcorder 21 according to the entity directory 234.

The entity directory 234 is displayed when the material using apparatus29 is capable of communicating with the camcorder 21. Consequently, theuser of the material using apparatus 29 can recognize whether thematerial using apparatus 29 is capable of communicating with thecamcorder 21.

A symbol of the entity directory 234 only has to be displayed to allowthe user to visually recognize whether the material using apparatus 29is capable of communicating with the camcorder 21. A display method isnot limited to the method described above. For example, a color of thesymbol of the entity directory 234 displayed may be different when thematerial using apparatus 29 is incapable of communicating with thecamcorder 21 and when the material using apparatus 29 is capable ofcommunicating with the camcorder 21.

A file of operation state data, a file of camera set values of thecamcorder 21, and a file of clips recorded in the movable medium 33 aretemporarily provided under the temporary saving directory 235. A file ofclips recorded in the temporary saving directory 235 is identical with afile of clips recorded in the accumulation directory 236.

In this way, when the connection of the camcorder 21 and the materialusing apparatus 29 is suspended and clips are not transmitted from thecamcorder 21 to the material using apparatus 29, the user can read outthe temporary saving directory 235 and grasp clips recorded in thecamcorder 21 at the point when the connection is suspended.

The clips recorded in the removable medium 33 are divided intodirectories of groups for each of recording contents and managed in theaccumulation directory 236.

In the example in FIG. 8, clips of two groups are recorded in theaccumulation directory 236. A clip group directory 237, which is adirectory of a first group, and a clip group directory 238, which is adirectory of a second group, are provided in the accumulation directory236. As names of the clip group directories 237 and 238, contents (grouptitles A and B in the example in FIG. 8) of the item “group title” (FIG.6) of grouping metadata of the first and the second groups correspondingto the directories are used.

Grouping metadata files of the corresponding first and the second groupsand directories of clips classified into the first and the second groupsare provided under the clip group directories 237 and 238. In theexample in FIG. 8, a grouping metadata file 239 of the second group andclip directories 240 and 241 are provided under the clip group directory238.

The grouping metadata file 239 is the grouping metadata file(G0002M01.txt) in FIG. 5, which is recorded in the removable medium 33,transmitted to and recorded in the material using apparatus 29. The clipdirectories 237 and 238 are the clips of the clip directories (C0001 andC0002) in FIG. 5, which are recorded in the removable medium 33,transmitted to and recorded in the material using apparatus 29.

In the following description, when it is unnecessary to distinguish theclip group directories 237 and 238 from each other, the clip groupdirectories 237 and 238 are collectively referred to as the clip groupdirectory 238. When it is unnecessary to distinguish the clipdirectories 240 and 241 from each other, the clip directories 240 and241 are collectively referred to as the clip directory 240.

In the example in FIG. 8, the clip directory 240 is classified andrecorded in the clip group directory 237 for each recording ID. However,the clip directory 240 may be classified and recorded in a directory foreach cameraman or a keyword of a recording instruction (e.g., interviewor site photographing). In this case, the clip directory 240 isclassified on the basis of a detail of the item “executed” of the item“photographer” of the grouping metadata (FIG. 6) of the group into whichthe clips of the clip directory 240 are classified and a detail of theitem “instructed” of the item “photographing contents”.

Details of the entity directory 234 in FIG. 8 will be explained withreference to FIG. 9.

In FIG. 9, a present image file 251 and a recorded image directory 252are provided under the entity directory 234.

The present image file 251 is a file (an imaginary file) correspondingto material data being currently acquired (photographed) by the camerablock 51. A thumbnail image, which is a still image corresponding toimage data for a fixed time, in image data being currently acquired bythe camera block 51 is displayed in a display area 251A in a symbol ofthe present image file 251.

The recorded image directory 252 is a directory corresponding todirectories of files recorded in the removable medium 33. In otherwords, a group directory 253 corresponding to the group directory 215provided in the removable medium 33 and a clip root directory 254corresponding to the clip root directory (CLPR) in FIG. 5 are providedunder the recorded image directory 252.

Clip directories 255 to 257 corresponding to the clip directories (C0001to C0003) in FIG. 5 are provided under the clip root directory 254.Thumbnail images in predetermined frames of image data of clips of theclip directories 255 to 257 are displayed in display areas 255A to 257Ain symbols of the clip directories 255 to 257.

When the user operates the input unit 206 in FIG. 4 and double-clicksthe present image file 251, a screen shown in FIG. 10 is displayed(presented) on the output unit 207.

As shown in FIG. 10, a display section 271, a record button 272, and astop button 273 are displayed on the output unit 207. An imagecorresponding to image data being currently acquired by the camera block51 is displayed in the display section 271. The user operates the recordbutton 272 when the user instructs recording of material data, whichcorresponds to the image displayed in the display section 271, in theremovable medium 33. The user operates the stop button 273 when the userinstructs stop of the recording.

When the user operates the input unit 206 and double-clicks the clipdirectories 255 to 257 in FIG. 9, a screen shown in FIG. 11 is displayedon the output unit 207.

As shown in FIG. 11, a display section 281, a temporal position controlbar 282, a play speed control bar 283, a fast reverse button 284, a stopbutton 285, a play button 286, and a fast forward button 287 aredisplayed on the output unit 207.

An image based on the image file (C0001V01.MXF or C0002V02.MXF) of theclip directory (C0001 or C0002) corresponding to the clip directories255 to 257, which is recorded in the removable medium 33, is displayedin the display section 281. The user operates temporal position controlbar 282 when the user designates a time stamp of image datacorresponding to the image displayed in the display section 281.Specifically, the user moves a knob 282A provided in the temporalposition control bar 282 to designate (change) the time stamp of theimage data corresponding to the image displayed in the display section281.

The user operates the play speed control bar 283 when the userdesignates play speed for reproducing image data from the removablemedium 33. Specifically, the user moves a knob 283A provided in the playspeed control bar 283 to designate (change) play speed. For example, theuser moves the knob 283A to the center of the play speed control bar 283to designate play speed zero, that is, stop. The user moves the knob283A in the right direction to designate play speed of play in theregular direction and moves the knob 283A in the left direction todesignate play speed of play in the reverse direction.

The user operates the fast reverse button 284 when the user reverselyreproduces image data from the removable medium 33 at high speed anddisplays an image corresponding to the image data reversely reproducedin the display section 281. The user operates the stop button 285 whenthe user stops the reproduction of the image data from the removablemedium 33. The user operates the play button 296 when the userreproduces image data from the removable medium 33 at normal speed anddisplays an image corresponding to the image data reproduced in thedisplay section 281.

The user operates the fast forward button 285 when the user reproducesimage data from the removable medium 33 at high speed and displays animage corresponding to the image data reproduced in the display section281.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional structureof the camcorder 21 in FIG. 3.

The camcorder 21 in FIG. 12 includes a camcorder-informationtransmitting unit 291, a freeze-mix processing unit 292, and a tape-likereproduction unit 293.

The camcorder-information transmitting unit 291 transmits a filerecorded in the removable medium 33 and state information indicating areal time state of the camcorder 21.

The freeze-mix processing unit 292 performs freeze-mix on the basis of afreeze-mix image transmitted from the material using apparatus 29.

The tape-like reproduction unit 293 performs tape-like reproduction ofclips recorded in the removable medium 33. The tape-like reproductionunit reproduction of the clips in an order of recording in the removablemedium 33.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an example of a detailed structure ofthe camcorder-information transmitting unit 291 in FIG. 12.

The camcorder-information transmitting unit 291 in FIG. 13 includes amaterial-data acquiring unit 300, a proxy-image-data acquiring unit 301,a sampling-thumbnail-image-data acquiring unit 302, a metadata acquiringunit 303, a state acquiring unit 304, a creating unit 305, atransmitting unit 306, a receiving unit 307, a control unit 308, a listmanaging unit 309, and a list storing unit 310.

The material-data acquiring unit 300, the proxy-image-data acquiringunit 301, the metadata acquiring unit 303, the state acquiring unit 304,the creating unit 305, the control unit 308, the list managing unit 309,and the list storing unit 310 correspond to, for example, themicrocomputer 106 in FIG. 3. The transmitting unit 306 and the receivingunit 307 correspond to, for example, the communication block 53.

The material-data acquiring unit 300 reproduces the files (C0001V01.MXFto C0001A08.MXF) of material data of clips from the removable medium 33and acquires the material data of the clips. The material-data acquiringunit 300 supplies the material data of the clips to the transmittingunit 306 and supplies representative image data of the clips to thecreating unit 305. The representative image data is, for example, topimage data, image data of a frame of an essence mark (electronic mark)added to image data, image data for every fixed time, and the like.

The proxy-image-data acquiring unit 301 reproduces the proxy image datafile (C0001S01.MXF) from the removable medium 33 and acquires proxyimage data. The proxy-image-data acquiring unit 301 supplies the proxyimage data to the transmitting unit 306.

The sampling-thumbnail-image-data acquiring unit 302 reproduces thesampling thumbnail image file (C0001T01.JPG) from the removable medium33 and acquires sampling thumbnail image data. Thesampling-thumbnail-image-data acquiring unit 302 supplies the samplingthumbnail image data to the transmitting unit 306.

The metadata acquiring unit 303 reproduces the grouping metadata files(G0001M01.txt to G0003M01.txt), the non-real time metadata file(C0001M01.XML), and the real time metadata file (C0001R01.BIM) from theremovable medium 33 and acquires grouping metadata, non-real timemetadata, and real time metadata. The metadata acquiring unit 303supplies the grouping metadata to the transmitting unit 306 and suppliesthe non-real time metadata and the real time metadata to thetransmitting unit 306 as clip metadata. The metadata acquiring unit 303reproduces and acquires directory information indicating the directorystructure (FIG. 5) of the files, which are recorded in the removablemedium 33, from the removable medium 33 and supplies the directoryinformation to the transmitting unit 306.

The state acquiring unit 304 reads out and acquires camera set valuesfrom the RAM of the microcomputers 83 of the camera block 51. The stateacquiring unit 304 creates operation state data on the basis of a cameraoperation signal from the operation unit 81 and a communicationoperation signal from the operation unit 131. The state acquiring unit304 acquires material data of a clip being currently acquired orreproduced. The state acquiring unit 304 supplies the camera set values,the operation state data, and the material data of the clip beingcurrently acquired or reproduced to the transmitting unit 306. Moreover,the state acquiring unit 304 supplies representative image data in thematerial data of the clip being currently acquired or reproduced to thecreating unit 305.

The creating unit 305 creates, on the basis of a result of judgment onwhether a transmission time necessary for transmission of proxy imagedata is equal to or longer than a predetermined time supplied from thetransmitting unit 306, a request from the transmitting unit 306, andimage data from the material-data acquiring unit 300, thumbnail imagedata of the image data and supplies the thumbnail image data to thetransmitting unit 306. The creating unit 305 creates, in response to arequest from the transmitting unit 306, thumbnail image data of imagedata of a clip being currently acquired or reproduced supplied from thestate acquiring unit 304 and supplies the thumbnail image data to thetransmitting unit 306.

The transmitting unit 306 calculates, on the basis of the proxy imagedata from the proxy-image-data acquiring unit 301, a transmission timenecessary for transmission of the proxy image data to the material usingapparatus 29 and judges whether the transmission time is equal to orlonger than the predetermined time. The transmitting unit 306 supplies aresult of the judgment to the creating unit 305.

The transmitting unit 306 extracts a type and an apparatus ID of anapparatus as apparatus information from the non-real time metadata ofthe clip metadata supplied from the metadata acquiring unit 303 andextracts a recording ID from the grouping metadata.

The transmitting unit 306 transmits, on the basis of a transmission listserving as a list of transmission object clips supplied from the listmanaging unit 309, apparatus information, directory information,metadata, proxy image data, and material data of the clips to thematerial using apparatus 29 in order according to the FTP. Thetransmitting unit 306 transmits, according to a result of the judgmenton a transmission time, the thumbnail image data supplied from thecreating unit 305 instead of the proxy image data. The transmitting unit306 updates a detail corresponding to the transmitted clip of the item“transmission history” of grouping metadata of the clip to“transmitted”. The transmitting unit 306 notifies the list managing unit309 of completion of the transmission of the transmission object clips.

The transmitting unit 306 transmits, in response to an acquisitionrequest supplied from the receiving unit 307, camera set values,operation state data, material data of the clip being currently acquiredor reproduced, or respective data of a clip recorded in the removablemedium 33 to the material using apparatus 29 as state information.

Moreover, the transmitting unit 306 requests, in response to anacquisition request from the receiving unit 307, the creating unit 305to create thumbnail image data of the clip recorded in the removablemedium 33 and thumbnail image data of the clip being currently acquiredor reproduced. The transmitting unit 306 transmits the thumbnail imagedata and directory information supplied from the creating unit 305 inresponse to the request to the material using apparatus 29.

The transmitting unit 306 may exclusively perform transmission of therespective data (including the apparatus information, a recording ID anddirectory information) of the transmission object clip, the stateinformation, and the thumbnail image data and improve transmissionspeed.

The receiving unit 307 supplies a control signal for controlling thecamcorder 21 transmitted from the material using apparatus 29 to thecontrol unit 308. The receiving unit 307 receives an acquisition requestfor state information transmitted from the material using apparatus 29and supplies the acquisition request to the transmitting unit 306. Thereceiving unit 307 receives acquisition requests for directoryinformation and thumbnail image data and supplies the acquisitionrequests to the transmitting unit 306.

The control unit 308 controls photographing, recording, deletion,reproduction, or the like on the basis of the control signal from thereceiving unit 307. For example, the control unit 308 changes the cameraset values held in the RAM of the microcomputer 83 on the basis of thecontrol signal and controls photographing. The control unit 308 deletesa clip recorded in the removable medium 33 according to the controlsignal. The control unit 308 transmits completion of processingcorresponding to the control signal (e.g., processing for controllingphotographing, recording, deletion, or reproduction) to the materialusing apparatus 29 via the transmitting unit 306 when necessary.

The list managing unit 309 extracts an un-transmitted clip on the basisof a detail of the item “transmission history” (FIG. 6) of the item“photographed material” of the grouping metadata of the clip, creates atransmission list with the clip as a transmission object, and suppliesthe transmission list to the list storing unit 310.

The list managing unit 309 reads out a transmission list from the liststoring unit 310 and supplies the transmission list to the transmittingunit 306. The list managing unit 309 deletes the transmission liststored in the list storing unit 310 according to the notification ofcompletion of transmission of the transmission object clip supplied fromthe transmitting unit 306. The list storing unit 310 stores thetransmission list from the list managing unit 309.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional structureof the material using apparatus 29 in FIG. 4.

The material using apparatus 29 in FIG. 14 includes acamcorder-information managing unit 311 and a freeze-mix transmittingunit 312.

The camcorder-information managing unit 311 manages files recorded inthe removable medium 33 and state information, which are transmittedfrom (the transmitting unit 306 of) the camcorder-informationtransmitting unit 291 in FIG. 12.

The freeze-mix transmitting unit 312 transmits an image designated bythe user among the images (the data) recorded in the recording unit 208in FIG. 4 to the freeze-mix processing unit 292 of the camcorder 21 as afreeze-mix image.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing an example of a detailed structure ofthe camcorder-information managing unit 311 in FIG. 14.

The camcorder-information managing unit 311 in FIG. 15 includes a stateacquiring unit 321, a state recording unit 322, a deleting unit 323, adata acquiring unit 324, a data recording unit 325, a display controlunit 326, an input unit 327, and a control unit 328. The state acquiringunit 321, the deleting unit 323, the data acquiring unit 324, thedisplay control unit 326, and the control unit 328 correspond to, forexample, the CPU 201 in FIG. 4. The state recording unit 322 correspondsto, for example, the RAM 203. The data recording unit 322 correspondsto, for example, the recording unit 208. The input unit 327 correspondsto, for example, the input unit 206.

The state acquiring unit 321 transmits an acquisition request for stateinformation to the receiving unit 307 of the camcorder 21 according to acommand from the input unit 327. The state acquiring unit 321 transmitsan acquisition request for directory information and thumbnail imagedata to the receiving unit 307 of the camcorder 21.

Moreover, the state acquiring unit 321 acquires (receives) stateinformation, directory information, thumbnail image data of the clipsrecorded in the removable medium 33, and thumbnail image data of a clipbeing currently acquired or reproduced, which are transmitted from thetransmitting unit 306 in FIG. 13, and supplies the state information,the directory information, and the thumbnail image data to the staterecording unit 322. The state acquiring unit 321 supplies camera setvalues and operation state data in the state information to the datarecording unit 325.

The state recording unit 322 records the state information, thedirectory information, the thumbnail image data of the clips recorded inthe removable medium 33, and the thumbnail image data of the clip beingcurrently acquired or reproduced, which are supplied from the stateacquiring unit 321.

The deleting unit 323 deletes respective data of a clip deleted from theremovable medium 33, which is recorded in the temporary saving directory235 of the data recording unit 325, according to notification ofcompletion of deletion transmitted from the transmitting unit 306. Thedata acquiring unit 324 acquires respective data of a clip supplied fromthe transmitting unit 306 and supplies the data to the data recordingunit 325.

The data recording unit 325 records the respective data of the clip fromthe data acquiring unit 324 in the temporary saving directory 235 andthe accumulation directory 236 in FIG. 8. The data recording unit 325records the camera set values and the operation state data from thestate acquiring unit 321 in the temporary saving directory 235.

When a volume of data recordable in the accumulation directory 236 isdetermined, the data acquiring unit 324 may read out clips, which havebeen recorded for a predetermined number of days or more after beingacquired (photographed) by the camcorder 21, in the clip directory 240recorded in the accumulation directory 236, transmits the clips to thematerial server 28 or the like in FIG. 1, and causes the material server28 or the like to store the clips. For example, when the predeterminednumber of days is one, only the clip directory 240 of clips acquiredtoday (a present date) is recorded in the accumulation directory 236. Asa result, it is possible to collectively display only the clip directory240 of the clips acquired today on the screen in FIG. 8.

The data acquiring unit 324 controls the display control unit 326according to an acquisition state (a reception state) of the respectivedata of the clips and notifies the user of the reception state of theclips.

The display control unit 326 reads out the state information recorded ormaterial data of the clip being currently acquired or reproduced, whichare recorded in the state recording unit 322, according to a commandfrom the input unit 327 and causes the output unit 207 (FIG. 4) todisplay an image on the basis of the state information or the materialdata. The display control unit 326 reads out the respective data of theclips recorded in the data recording unit 325 according to a commandfrom the input unit 327 and causes the output unit 207 to display animage on the basis of the data.

The input unit 327 receives operation from the user and supplies acommand corresponding to the operation to the state acquiring unit 321,the display control unit 326, or the control unit 328. The control unit328 generates a control signal for controlling the camcorder 21according to a command from the input unit 327 and transmits the controlsignal to (the receiving unit 307 of) the camcorder 21.

Communication of the material data of the clip being currently acquiredof the state information will be explained with reference to FIGS. 16Aand 16B.

FIG. 16A is a diagram for explaining transmission of the material dataof the clip being currently acquired in the transmitting unit 306 of thecamcorder 21. In FIG. 16A, it is assumed that frames #1 to #4 of thematerial data are acquired in order. A frame #i indicates an ith frameacquired.

As shown in FIG. 16A, the transmitting unit 306 adds an error correctioncode to each frame of image data of the clip being currently acquiredand transmits the material data in frame units. When the image data isencoded in the MPEG system, the error correction code may be added foreach GOP.

As shown in FIG. 16A, when a frame #1 of the material data is acquired,the transmitting unit 306 starts transmission conforming to a UDP of theframe #1. When frames #2 and #3 of the material data are acquired andacquisition of a frame #4 is started by the time when the transmissionof the frame #1 is completed, the transmitting unit 306 starts, afterthe end of the transmission of the frame #1, transmission conforming toa UDP of a frame acquired immediately before the end of the transmissionof the frame #1 (in the case of the example in FIG. 16A, the frame #3).In other words, the transmitting unit 306 does not transmit the frame#2.

As described above, the transmitting unit 306 transmits only a frameacquire immediately before the start of transmission of a new frame (theend of transmission of a previous frame) rather than transmitting allthe frames of the material data in an order of acquisition as thematerial data of the clip being currently acquired. Thus, even whencommunication speed in the network 31 is low and plural frames areacquired by the time when transmission of one frame of the material datais completed, it is possible to transmit a frame acquired latest. Inother words, it is possible to transmit the material data acquired on areal time basis.

Since the transmitting unit 306 transmits a frame in accordance with aUDP, it is possible to reduce loads in transmission processing andtransmit the frame quickly.

FIG. 16B is a diagram for explaining reception (acquisition) of thematerial data of the clip being currently acquired in the stateacquiring unit 321 of the material using apparatus 29. In FIG. 16B, itis assumed that frames #11 to #14 of the material data are received inorder. A frame #j indicates a jth frame received from the camcorder 21.

As shown in FIG. 16B, the state acquiring unit 321 supplies the materialdata received from the camcorder 21 to the display control unit 326 viathe state recording unit 322. The display control unit 326 displays, onthe basis of image data of the material data supplied from the stateacquiring unit 321, an image corresponding to the image data for apredetermined time (e.g., time corresponding to one frame or one GOP) inthe display section 271 in FIG. 10.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 16B, when a frame #11 of the materialdata is received from the state acquiring unit 321 as the material dataof the clip being currently acquired, the display control unit 326starts display of an image corresponding to the frame #11. When frames#12 and #13 of the material data are received in the state acquiringunit 321 and reception of a frame #14 is started by the time when thedisplay of the frame #11 is completed, the display control unit 326starts, after the end of the display of the image corresponding to theframe #11, display of an image corresponding to a frame receivedimmediately before the end of the display of the image (in the case ofthe example in FIG. 16B, the frame #13). In other words, the displaycontrol unit 326 does not display an image corresponding to the frame#12.

In this way, the display control unit 326 displays only an imagecorresponding to a frame received immediately before the start ofdisplay of an image corresponding to a new frame (the end of display ofan image corresponding to a previous frame) rather than displayingimages corresponding to all the frames received as the material data ofthe clip being currently acquired in an order of reception of theframes. Thus, even when communication speed in the network 31 is highand plural frames are received by the time when display of an imagecorresponding to one frame of the material data is completed, it ispossible to display an image corresponding to a frame received latest.In other words, it is possible to display an image corresponding to thematerial data received on a real time basis.

In FIGS. 16A and 16B, the communication of the material data beingcurrently acquired is explained. However, the same holds true forcommunication of material data being currently reproduced Displayprocessing in which the material using apparatus 29 displays the presentimage file 251 in FIG. 9 will be explained with reference to FIG. 17.This display processing is started when the user designates (clicks) theentity directory 234 in FIG. 8.

In step S21, the state acquiring unit 321 of the material usingapparatus 29 requests the camcorder 21 to acquire directory information,thumbnail image data of the clips recorded in the removable medium 33,and thumbnail image data of the clip being currently acquired orreproduced. The state acquiring unit 321 proceeds to step S22.

In step S41, the receiving unit 307 of the camcorder 21 receives theacquisition request from the state acquiring unit 321 and supplies theacquisition request to the creating unit 305 via the transmitting unit306. The creating unit 305 creates, on the basis of the acquisitionrequest, image data from the material-data acquiring unit 300, and imagedata from the state acquiring unit 304, thumbnail image data of theclips recorded in the removable medium 33 and thumbnail image data ofthe clip being currently acquired or reproduced and supplies thethumbnail image data to the transmitting unit 306.

After the processing in step S41, the transmitting unit 306 proceeds tostep S42. The transmitting unit 306 transmits the thumbnail image dataof the clips recorded in the removable medium 33, the thumbnail imagedata of the clip being currently acquired or reproduced, and thedirectory information, which are supplied from the creating unit 305, tothe material using apparatus 29. The transmitting unit 306 proceeds tostep S43.

In step S22, the state acquiring unit 321 of the material usingapparatus 29 receives the directory information, and the thumbnail imagedata of the clips recorded in the removable medium 33, and the thumbnailimage data of the clip being currently acquired or reproduced, suppliesthe directory information and the thumbnail image data to the staterecording unit 322, and causes the state recording unit 322 to store thesame. After the processing in step S22, the state acquiring unit 321proceeds to step S23. The display control unit 326 reads out thedirectory information, the thumbnail image data of the clips recorded inthe removable medium 33, and the thumbnail image data of the clip beingcurrently acquired or reproduced, which are stored in step S22, andcauses the output unit 207 to display the screen shown in FIG. 9 on thebasis of the directory information and the thumbnail image data.

At this point, the user operates the input unit 327 (206) anddouble-clicks a desired symbol among the symbol of the present imagefile 251 and the symbols of the clip directories 255 to 257 in FIG. 9.It is assumed that the user has double-clicked the present image file251.

After the processing in step S23, the state acquiring unit 321 proceedsto step S24. The state acquiring unit 321 requests the camcorder 21 toacquire material data of the clip being currently acquired according toa command corresponding to the operation of the input unit 327 by theuser. The state acquiring unit 321 proceeds to step S25.

In step S43, the receiving unit 307 receives the acquisition request forthe material data of the clip being currently acquired from the stateacquiring unit 321 and supplies the acquisition request to thetransmitting unit 306. The transmitting unit 306 proceeds to step S44.In step S44, the transmitting unit 306 transmits the material data ofthe clip being currently acquired in the state information supplied fromthe state acquiring unit 304 to the material using apparatus 29 andproceeds to step S45.

In step S25, the state acquiring unit 321 receives the material data ofthe clip being currently acquired, which is transmitted from thetransmitting unit 306, supplies the material data to the state recordingunit 322, causes the state recording unit 322 to store the materialdata, and proceeds to step S26. In step S26, the display control unit326 displays the screen shown in FIG. 10 on the basis of the materialdata stored in step S25. Consequently, an image corresponding to thematerial data stored in step S25 is displayed on the display section 271in FIG. 10.

The user operates the input unit 327 and selects a desired button of therecord button 272 and the stop button 273. It is assumed that the userhas selected the record button 272.

After the processing in step S26, the control unit 328 proceeds to stepS27. The control unit 328 transmits a control signal for causing thecamcorder 21 to record respective data of the clip being currentlyacquired to the camcorder 21 according to a command from the input unit327 and completes the processing.

In step S45, the receiving unit 307 supplies the control signaltransmitted from the control unit 328 to the control unit 308. Thecontrol unit 328 proceeds to step S46. In step S46, the control unit 328causes the removable medium 33 to record the respective data of the clipbeing currently acquired according to the control signal and completesthe processing.

In FIG. 17, it is assumed that the user double-clicks the present imagefile 251. However, when the user double-clicks the clip directories 255to 257, the state acquiring unit 321 requests acquisition of materialdata of the clip directories (C0001 to C0003) corresponding to the clipdirectories 255 to 257 recorded in the removable medium 33. The displaycontrol unit 326 displays the screen shown in FIG. 11 on the basis ofimage data of the material data transmitted according to the request. Inthis screen, when the user operates the input unit 327 to operate theknob 282A or 283B, the fast reverse button 284, the stop button 285, theplay button 286, or the fast forward button 287, the control unit 328transmits a control signal corresponding to a command from the inputunit 327 to the camcorder 21. The control unit 308 controls reproductionof a clip directory according to this control signal.

In FIG. 17, it is assumed that the user selects the record button 272.However when the user selects the stop button 273, the same processingis performed. The control unit 308 transmits a control signal forstopping recording of the respective data of the clip being currentlyacquired to the camcorder 21. The control unit 328 of the camcorder 21stops the recording of the respective data of the clip being currentlyacquired in the removable medium 33 according to the control signal.

File transmission processing in which the camcorder 21 transmits a filerecorded in the removable medium 33 will be explained with reference toFIG. 18.

In step S61, the transmitting unit 306 of the camcorder 21 extractsapparatus information from non-real time metadata of a transmissionobject clip, which is supplied from the metadata acquiring unit 303,extracts a recording ID from clip metadata, and transmits the apparatusinformation and the recording ID to the material using apparatus 29together with a reception request for a file.

In step S62, the data acquiring unit 324 of the material using apparatus29 receives the apparatus information, the recording ID, and thetransmission request for a file transmitted from the transmitting unit306. The data acquiring unit 324 proceeds to step S82. In step S82, thedata acquiring unit 324 determines, on the basis of the apparatusinformation and the recording ID received, a recording destination ofthe transmission object clip. For example, the data acquiring unit 324determines the clip group directory 238, which corresponds to therecording ID of the camcorder directory 233 (FIG. 8) corresponding to anapparatus ID of the apparatus information, as a recording destination ofthe transmission object clip.

After the processing in step S82, the data acquiring unit 324 of thematerial using apparatus 29 proceeds to step S83. The data acquiringunit 324 requests the camcorder 21 to transmit a file. The dataacquiring unit 324 proceeds to step S84.

After the processing in step S61, the receiving unit 307 of thecamcorder 21 proceeds to step S62. The receiving unit 307 receives thetransmission request for a file transmitted from the data acquiring unit324 and proceeds to step S63. In step S63, the transmitting unit 306transmits material data, proxy image data or thumbnail image data,grouping metadata, and clip metadata (including sampling thumbnail imagedata) in an order of the grouping metadata, the clip metadata, the proxyimage data or the thumbnail image data, and the material data.

In step S84, the data acquiring unit 324 of the material using apparatus29 acquires the grouping metadata, the clip metadata (including thesampling thumbnail image data), the proxy image data or the thumbnailimage data, and the material data transmitted from the transmitting unit306 and causes the recording destination determined in step S82 torecord the data as the clip directory 240.

After the processing in step S84, the data acquiring unit 324 proceedsto step S85. The data acquiring unit 324 judges whether the receptionhas been completed, that is, whether all transmission object clips,which are transmitted from the transmitting unit 306, have beenreceived. When it is judged that the reception has not been completed,the material using apparatus 29 returns to step S84 and repeats thereception. When it is judged in step S85 that the reception has beencompleted, the processing is completed.

In the explanation of FIG. 18, the file recorded in the removable medium33, which is transmitted from the camcorder 21, is recorded in theaccumulation directory 236. However, when the file is recorded in thetemporary saving directory 235, the same processing is performed.

File transmission processing, which is processing on the camcorder 21side in FIG. 18, will be explained in detail with reference to FIG. 19.

In step S100, the transmitting unit 306 transmits apparatus informationand a recording ID to the material using apparatus 29 together with areception request for a file and proceeds to step S101. In step S101,the transmitting unit 306 transmits the directory information to thematerial using apparatus 29 and proceeds to step S102.

In step S102, the receiving unit 307 judges whether transmission hasbeen requested from the data acquiring unit 324 of the material usingapparatus 29 according to the reception request for a file. When it isjudged that transmission has not been requested, the receiving unit 307stands by until it is judged that transmission has been requested.

On the other hand, when it is judged in step S102 that transmission hasbeen requested, the transmitting unit 306 proceeds to step S103. Thetransmitting unit 306 transmits grouping metadata of all thetransmission object clips, which are supplied from the metadataacquiring unit 303, to the material using apparatus 29 and proceeds tostep S104.

In step S104, the transmitting unit 306 sets a count value M of anot-shown counter to 1 and proceeds to step S105. In step S105, thetransmitting unit 306 performs clip transmission processing fortransmitting respective data of all clips registered in an Mthtransmission list supplied from the list managing unit 309. This cliptransmission processing will be explained in detail using a flowchart inFIG. 20 described later.

After the processing in step S105, the transmitting unit 306 proceeds tostep S106. The transmitting unit 306 judges whether clips of alltransmission lists stored in the list storing unit 310 have beentransmitted. When it is judged that the clips of all the transmissionlists have not been transmitted, the transmitting unit 306 proceeds tostep S107.

In step S107, the transmitting unit 306 increments the count value M by1, returns to step S105, and repeats the processing described above. Onthe other hand, when it is judged in step S106 that the clips of all thetransmission lists have been transmitted, the processing is completed.

The clip transmission processing in step S105 in FIG. 19 will beexplained with reference to FIG. 20.

In step S121, the transmitting unit 306 sets a count value N of anot-shown counter to 1 and proceeds to step S122. In step S122, thetransmitting unit 306 transmits clip metadata of an Nth clip from thetop of an Mth transmission list from the top stored in the list storingunit 310 among clip metadata supplied from the metadata acquiring unit303 to the material using apparatus 29.

When there is sampling thumbnail image data of the Nth clip from the topof the Mth transmission list from the top in sampling thumbnail imagedata supplied from the sampling-thumbnail-image-data acquiring unit 302,the transmitting unit 306 also transmits the sampling thumbnail imagedata to the material using apparatus 29. In this case, the transmittingunit 306 may transmit the sampling thumbnail image data earlier than theclip metadata or may transmit the clip metadata earlier than thesampling thumbnail image data.

After the processing in step S122, the transmitting unit 306 proceeds tostep S123. The transmitting unit 306 judges whether clip metadata(including sampling thumbnail image data) of all clips of the Mthtransmission list have been transmitted, that is, whether the Nth clipis the last clip of the Mth transmission list. When it is judged thatthe clip metadata of all the clips of the Mth transmission list have notbeen transmitted, the transmitting unit 306 proceeds to step S124.

In step S124, the transmitting unit 306 increments the count value N by1, returns to step S122, and repeats the processing described above. Onthe other hand, when it is judged in step S123 that the clip metadata ofall the clips of the Mth transmission list have been transmitted, thetransmitting unit 306 proceeds to step S125.

In step S125, the transmitting unit 306 sets the count value N to 1again and proceeds to step S126. In step S126, the transmitting unit 306calculates a transmission time necessary for transmission of proxy imagedata of the Nth clip from the top of the Mth transmission list on thebasis of a size of the proxy image data file (C0001S01.MXF) of the proxyimage data and communication speed in the network 31 and the intranet32.

After the processing in step S126, the transmitting unit 306 proceeds tostep S127. The transmitting unit 306 judges whether the transmissiontime calculated in step S126 is within a set time set in advance andsupplies a result of the judgment to the creating unit 305.

When it is judged in step S127 that the transmission time is within theset time set in advance, the transmitting unit 306 proceeds to stepS128. The transmitting unit 306 transmits proxy image data of the Nthclip from the top of the Mth transmission list among proxy image datasupplied from the proxy-image-data acquiring unit 301 to the materialusing apparatus 29 and proceeds to step S131.

On the other hand, when it is judged in step S127 that the transmissiontime is not within the set time, the creating unit 305 proceeds to stepS129. The creating unit 305 creates, on the basis of a representativeimage data of the Nth clip from the top of the Mth transmission listamong representative image data of the material data supplied from thematerial-data acquiring unit 300, thumbnail image data of the image dataand supplies the thumbnail image data to the transmitting unit 306.

After the processing in step S129, the transmitting unit 306 proceeds tostep S130. The transmitting unit 306 transmits the thumbnail image datafrom the creating unit 305 to the material using apparatus 29 andproceeds to step S131.

In step S131, the transmitting unit 306 judges whether image data orthumbnail image data of all clips of the Mth transmission list have beentransmitted. When it is judged that the image data or the thumbnailimage data of all the clips have not been transmitted, the transmittingunit 306 proceeds to step S132.

In step S132, the transmitting unit 306 increments the count value N by1, returns to step S126, and repeats the processing described above. Onthe other hand, when it is judged in step S131 that the image data orthe thumbnail image data of all the clips have been transmitted, thetransmitting unit 306 proceeds to step S133. The transmitting unit 306sets the count value N to 1 again.

After the processing in step S133, the transmitting unit 306 proceeds tostep S134. The transmitting unit 306 transmits material data of the Nthclip of the Mth transmission list among material data supplied from thematerial-data acquiring unit 300 and proceeds to step S135. In stepS135, the transmitting unit 306 judges whether material data of all theclips of the Mth transmission list have been transmitted. When it isjudged that the material data of all the clips have not beentransmitted, the transmitting unit 306 proceeds to step S136.

In step S136, the transmitting unit 306 increments the count value N by1, returns to step S134, and repeats the processing described above. Onthe other hand, when it is judged in step S135 that the material data ofall the clips have been transmitted, the transmitting unit 306 proceedsto step S106 in FIG. 19.

As described above, the transmitting unit 306 transmits, earlier thanimage data, data (metadata, proxy image data, etc.) related to the imagedata having a data quantity smaller than that of the image data to thematerial using apparatus 29. Thus, even when a data quantity of theimage data is large, the material using apparatus 29 can quickly graspcontents of material data according to the related data transmittedearlier.

In FIG. 20, it is assumed that the set time used for the judgment instep S127 is set in advance. However, the set time does not have to beset in advance. In this case, the transmitting unit 306 proceeds to stepS128 without performing the judgment in step S127 and transmits theproxy image data.

File reception processing, which is processing on the material usingapparatus 29 side in FIG. 18, will be explained in detail with referenceto FIG. 21.

In step S141, the data acquiring unit 324 controls the display controlunit 326 to cause the output unit 207 in FIG. 4 to display the screen(FIG. 8) showing a directory structure and changes a color of symbols ofall the clip group directories 238 in the screen to gray.

After the processing in step S141, the data acquiring unit 324 proceedsto step S142. The data acquiring unit 324 judges whether a receptionrequest for a file has been transmitted from the transmitting unit 306of the camcorder 21 in step S100 in FIG. 19. When it is judged that areception request for a file has not been transmitted, the dataacquiring unit 324 stands by until a reception request for a file istransmitted.

On the other hand, when it is judged in step S142 that a receptionrequest for a file has been transmitted, the data acquiring unit 324proceeds to step S143 and receives apparatus information and a recordingID transmitted together with the reception request for a file. After theprocessing in step S143, the data acquiring unit 324 proceeds to stepS144. The data acquiring unit 324 determines, on the basis of theapparatus information and the recording ID received in step S143, arecording destination of a transmission object clip and proceeds to stepS145.

In step S145, the data acquiring unit 324 judges whether all pieces ofapparatus information and recording IDs transmitted from thetransmitting unit 306 have been received. When it is judged that all thepieces of apparatus information and recording IDs have not beenreceived, the data acquiring unit 324 returns to step S143 and repeatsthe processing described above.

On the other hand, when it is judged in step S145 that all the pieces ofapparatus information and recording IDs have been received, the dataacquiring unit 324 proceeds to step S146. The data acquiring unit 324controls the display control unit 326 to change a color of a symbol ofthe clip group directory 238, which is a recording destination of thetransmission object clip, displayed on the output unit 207 to red. Afterthe processing in step S146, the data acquiring unit 324 proceeds tostep S147. The data acquiring unit 324 receives directory informationtransmitted from the transmitting unit 306 and proceeds to step S148.

In step S148, the data acquiring unit 324 judges whether all pieces ofdirectory information transmitted from the transmitting unit 306 havebeen received. When it is judged that all the pieces of directoryinformation have not been received, the data acquiring unit 324 returnsto step S147 and repeats the processing described above.

When it is judged in step S148 that all the pieces of directoryinformation have been received, the data acquiring unit 324 proceeds tostep S149. The data acquiring unit 324 requests the camcorder 21 totransmit respective data of the transmission object clip and proceeds tostep S150. In step S150, the data acquiring unit 324 controls thedisplay control unit 326 to change the color of the symbol of the clipgroup directory 238, which is the recording destination of thetransmission object clip, to orange.

After the processing in step S150, the data acquiring unit 324 proceedsto step S151. The data acquiring unit 324 receives grouping metadatatransmitted from the transmitting unit 306 and records the groupingmetadata in the clip group directory 328, which is the recordingdestination determined in step S144, as the grouping metadata file 239.After the processing in step S151, the data acquiring unit 324 proceedsto step S152. The data acquiring unit 324 judges whether all groupingmetadata transmitted from the transmitting unit 306 have been received.When it is judged that all the grouping metadata have not been received,the data acquiring unit 324 returns to step S151 and repeats theprocessing described above.

On the other hand, when it is judged in step S152 that all the groupingmetadata have been received, the data acquiring unit 324 proceeds tostep S153. The data acquiring unit 324 controls the display control unit326 to change the color of the symbol of the clip group directory 238,which is the recording destination of the transmission object clip, toyellow. After the processing in step S153, the data acquiring unit 324proceeds to step S154. The data acquiring unit 324 performs clipreception processing for receiving respective data of a clip for each ofclips. This clip reception processing will be explained in detail withreference to FIG. 22 described later.

After the processing in step S154, the data acquiring unit 324 proceedsto step S155. The data acquiring unit 324 judges whether respective dataof all clips transmitted from the transmitting unit 306 have beenreceived. When it is judged that the respective data of all the clipshave not been received, the data acquiring unit 324 stands by until itis judged that the respective data of all the clips have been received.

On the other hand, when it is judged in step S155 that the respectivedata of all the clips have been received, the data acquiring unit 324proceeds to step S156. The data acquiring unit 324 controls the displaycontrol unit 326 to change the color of the symbol of the clip groupdirectory 238, which is the recording destination of the transmissionobject clip, to green and completes the processing.

The clip reception processing in step S154 in FIG. 21 will be explainedwith reference to FIG. 22. This clip reception processing is performedfor each clip.

In step S161, the data acquiring unit 324 controls the display controlunit 326 on the basis of the grouping metadata received in step S151 inFIG. 21 to display a symbol of the clip directory 240 under the clipgroup directory 238 and changes a color of the symbol of the clipdirectory 240 to gray.

After the processing in step S161, the data acquiring unit 324 proceedsto step S162. The data acquiring unit 324 judges whether clip metadata(including sampling thumbnail image data) transmitted from thetransmitting unit 306 has been received. When it is judged that clipmetadata has not been received, the data acquiring unit 324 stands byuntil the clip metadata is received. On the other hand, when it isjudged in step S162 that the clip metadata has been received, the dataacquiring unit 324 proceeds to step S163. The data acquiring unit 324records the clip metadata in the clip directory 240, which is arecording destination of the clip metadata, as a clip metadata file andchanges the color of the symbol of the clip directory 240 to red.

When sampling thumbnail image data is also received, the data acquiringunit 324 records the sampling thumbnail image data in the clip directory240, which is a recording destination of the sampling thumbnail imagedata, as a sampling thumbnail image file.

After the processing in step S163, the data acquiring unit 324 proceedsto step S164. The data acquiring unit 324 judges whether thumbnail imagedata transmitted from the transmitting unit 306 has been received. Whenit is judge that the thumbnail image data has been received, the dataacquiring unit 324 proceeds to step S165. The data acquiring unit 324records the thumbnail image data in the clip directory 240, which is arecording destination of the thumbnail image data, as a thumbnail imagedata file and changes the color of the clip directory 240 to orange.

On the other hand, when it is judged in step S164 that thumbnail imagedata has not been received, the data acquiring unit 324 proceeds to stepS166. The data acquiring unit 324 judges whether proxy image datatransmitted from the transmitting unit 306 has been received. When it isjudged that proxy image data has not been received, the data acquiringunit 324 returns to step S164 and repeats the processing describedabove.

When it is judged in step S166 that the proxy image data has beenreceived, the data acquiring unit 324 proceeds to step S167. The dataacquiring unit 324 records the proxy image data in the clip directory240, which is a recording destination of the proxy image data, as aproxy image data file and changes the color of the symbol of the clipdirectory 240 to yellow.

After the processing in step S165 or S167, the data acquiring unit 324proceeds to step S168. The data acquiring unit 324 judges whethermaterial data transmitted from the transmitting unit 306 has beenreceived. When it is judged that material data has not been received,the data acquiring unit 324 stands by until material data is received.On the other hand, when it is judged in step S168 that the material datahas been received, the data acquiring unit 324 proceeds to step S169.The data acquiring unit 324 records the material data in the clipdirectory 240, which is a recording destination of the material data, asan image file or a music file, changes the color of the symbol of theclip directory 240 to green, and proceeds to step S155 in FIG. 21.

In FIGS. 21 and 22, a color of a symbol is changed to indicate atransmission state of a file of a directory corresponding to the symbol.However, a method of indicating a transmission state is not limited tothis. For example, a message indicating a transmission state of a fileof a directory may be displayed around a symbol of the directory.

Deletion processing in which the material using apparatus 29 deletesrespective data of a clip recorded in the removable medium 33 will beexplained with reference to FIG. 23. This deletion processing is startedwhen the user operates the input unit 327 (FIG. 15) to designate a clipto be deleted.

In step S181, the control unit 328 of the material using apparatus 29transmits a control signal for causing the camcorder 21 to delete a clipdesignated as a deletion object by the user to the camcorder 21according to a command supplied from the input unit 327 and proceeds tostep S182.

In step S201, the receiving unit 307 of the camcorder 21 supplies thecontrol signal supplied from the control unit 328 in step S181 to thecontrol unit 308 and proceeds to step S202. In step S202, the controlunit 308 deletes the clip to be deleted, which is recorded in theremovable medium 33, on the basis of the control signal and notifies thetransmitting unit 306 of completion of the deletion. After theprocessing in step S202, the transmitting unit 306 proceeds to stepS203. The transmitting unit 306 notifies the material using apparatus 29of the completion of the deletion and completes the processing.

In step S182, the deleting unit 323 of the material using apparatus 29receives the notification of the completion of the deletion and proceedsto step S183. In step S183, the deleting unit 323 deletes respectivedata of the clip to be deleted in the temporary saving directory 235,which is stored in the data recording unit 325, and completes theprocessing.

In FIG. 23, when the camcorder 21 receives the control signal fordeleting the clip to be deleted from the material using apparatus 29,the camcorder 21 deletes the clip to be deleted. However, it is alsopossible that the material using apparatus 29 notifies a user of thecamcorder 21 that a command for deletion is received from the user ofthe material using apparatus 29 and the user of the camcorder 21 who hasreceived the notification instructs the camcorder 21 to delete the clip.The user may be allowed to set prohibition of deletion for each clip oreach group in the camcorder 21. In this case, the camcorder 21 deletesonly a deletion object for which the prohibition of deletion is not set.

In FIG. 23, when a clip to be deleted is designated by the user, thecontrol unit 308 and the deleting unit 323 delete the deletion object.When a clip recorded in the removable medium 33 is copied to theaccumulation directory 236, the control unit 308 and the deleting unit232 may delete the clip.

As described above, when a clip recorded in the removable medium 33inserted in the camcorder 21 is deleted, a clip recorded in thetemporary saving directory 235 of the material using apparatus 29 isdeleted but a clip recorded in the accumulation directory 236 is notdeleted. In other words, a clip photographed (acquired) by the camcorder21 is kept saved in the accumulation directory 236.

Therefore, even when a recording capacity of the removable medium 33 issmall, the camcorder 21 can perform photographing for a long time bytransmitting a clip obtained as a result of photographing and recordedin the removable medium 33 to the material using apparatus 29 anddeleting the clip recorded in the removable medium 33.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing another example of the detailedstructure of the camcorder-information transmitting unit 291 in FIG. 13.

In the camcorder-information transmitting unit 291 in FIG. 24, atransmitting unit 400 and a list managing unit 401 are provided insteadof the transmitting unit 306 and the list managing unit 309 and atransmission-mode setting unit 402 is additionally provided. Componentsidentical with those in FIG. 13 are denoted by the identical referencenumerals and explanations of the components are omitted to preventredundant explanations. The transmitting unit 400 corresponds to, forexample, the communication block 53 in FIG. 3. The list managing unit401 and the transmission-mode setting unit 402 correspond to, forexample, the microcomputer 106.

In the same manner as the transmitting unit 306 in FIG. 13, thetransmitting unit 400 calculates, on the basis of proxy image data fromthe proxy-image-data acquiring unit 301, a transmission time necessaryfor transmission of the proxy image data to the material using apparatus29 and judges whether the transmission time is equal to or longer than apredetermined time. The transmitting unit 400 supplies a result of thejudgment to the creating unit 305.

In the same manner as the transmitting unit 306, the transmitting unit400 extracts apparatus information from non-real time metadata of clipmetadata supplied from the metadata acquiring unit 303 and extracts arecording ID from grouping metadata.

In the same manner as the transmitting unit 306, the transmitting unit400 transmits, on the basis of a transmission list supplied from thelist managing unit 401, apparatus information, directory information,metadata, proxy image data, and material data to the material usingapparatus 29 in order. The transmitting unit 400 updates a detailcorresponding to the transmitted clip of the item “transmission history”of grouping metadata of the clip to “transmitted”. The transmitting unit400 notifies the list managing unit 401 of completion of thetransmission of the transmission object clips.

In the same manner as the transmitting unit 306, the transmitting unit400 transmits, in response to an acquisition request supplied from thereceiving unit 307, the camera set values, the operation state data, thematerial data of the clip being currently acquired or reproduced, or therespective data of the clips recorded in the removable medium 33 to thematerial using apparatus 29 as state information. The transmitting unit400 requests, in response to an acquisition request from the receivingunit 307, the creating unit 305 to create thumbnail image data of theclips recorded in the removable medium 33 and thumbnail image data ofthe clip being currently acquired or reproduced. The transmitting unit400 transmits the thumbnail image data and directory informationsupplied from the creating unit 305 in response to the request to thematerial using apparatus 29.

Moreover, the transmitting unit 400 judges, according to a command fromthe control unit 403, whether data of the clip recorded in the removablemedium 33 is being transmitted. According to a result of the judgment,the transmitting unit 400 calculates a transmission time necessary fortransmission of the clip being transmitted. The transmitting unit 400controls transmission at the start of recording of the clip on the basisof the command from the control unit 403 and the transmission time ofthe clip being transmitted.

In the same manner as the list managing unit 309 in FIG. 13, the listmanaging unit 401 extracts an un-transmitted clip on the basis of adetail of the item “transmission history” (FIG. 6) of the item“photographed material” of the grouping metadata of the clips and setsthe clip as a transmission object. The list managing unit 401 acquiresclip metadata of the transmission object clip from the transmitting unit400, creates a transmission list on the basis of the clip metadata, andsupplies the transmission list to the list storing unit 310. The listmanaging unit 401 determines a priority of clips registered in thetransmission list on the basis of a transmission mode of the clipssupplied from the transmission mode setting unit 402. The list managingunit 401 changes the transmission list on the basis of the priority. Forexample, the list managing unit 401 creates a transmission list in whichthe clips are arranged from the top of the transmission list in orderfrom one with a highest priority.

In the same manner as the list managing unit 309, the list managing unit401 reads out a transmission list from the list storing unit 310 andsupplies the transmission list to the transmitting unit 400. The listmanaging unit 401 deletes the transmission list stored in the liststoring unit 310 according to the notification of completion oftransmission of the transmission object clip supplied from thetransmitting unit 400.

The transmission-mode setting unit 402 causes an LCD 112 in FIG. 3 todisplay a screen for setting a transmission mode (FIG. 25 referred tolater). The user operates the operation unit 131 in FIG. 3 while lookingat the screen to designate a transmission mode. The transmission-modesetting unit 402 sets a transmission mode on the basis of acommunication operation signal corresponding to the operation, which issupplied from the operation unit 131, and supplies the transmission modeto the list managing unit 401 and the control unit 403.

In the same manner as the control unit 308 in FIG. 13, the control unit403 controls photographing, recording, deletion, reproduction, or thelike on the basis of a control signal from the receiving unit 307. Thecontrol unit 403 deletes a clip recorded in the removable medium 33according to the control signal. The control unit 403 transmitscompletion of processing corresponding to the control signal to thematerial using apparatus 29 via the transmitting unit 400 whennecessary.

Moreover, the control unit 403 supplies a command for controllingtransmission to the transmitting unit 400 according to the controlsignal for recording a clip supplied from the receiving unit 307 and thetransmission mode from the transmission-mode setting unit 402.

FIG. 25 shows an example of a screen for setting a transmission modedisplayed on the LCD 112 in FIG. 3.

On the screen in FIG. 25, items “date”, “photographing order”,“photographing apparatus”, “priority condition”, and “treatment of afile being transmitted at the start of recording” and optionscorresponding to the items are displayed. The user operates an itemselection button 420 a or 420 b, an option change button 421 a or 421 b,or a determine button 422 using the operation unit 131 in FIG. 3 andmoves a black circle mark to the right side of a desired option of eachof the items to issue a command to select a detail of each of the items.

The user operates the item selection button 420 a when the user movesthe black circle mark to be a moving object upward to select an item onwhich the black circle mark is arranged. The user operates the itemselection button 420 b when the user moves the black circle mark to be amoving object downward to select an item on which the black circle markis arranged. The user operates the option change button 421 a when theuser moves the moving object black circle mark upward. The user operatesthe option change button 421 b when the user moves the moving objectblack circle mark downward. The user operates the determine button 422when the user issues a command for determination. In other words, theuser operates the item selection button 420 a or 420 b to move the blackcircle mark to be a moving object upward and downward to select an itemon which the black circle mark is arranged. The user moves the blackcircle mark, which is set as a moving object by the movement, upward anddownward by operating the option change button 421 a or 421 b. When theblack circle mark is arranged on the right side of a desired option, theuser operates the determine button 422.

For example, when the user selects a detail of the item “date”, first,the user operates the item selection button 420 a or 420 b and selectsthe item “date” as an item on which the moving object black circle markis arranged. Subsequently, the user operates the option change button421 a or 421 b to move the black circle mark to a desired option andoperates the determine button 422.

In the example in FIG. 25, options “transmission date priority” and“photographing date order” are displayed in association with the item“date”. The user selects the option “transmission date priority” whenthe user determines a priority such that the priority is higher for alater acquisition date (photographing date) of a clip, that is, thepriority is lower for an acquisition date that goes further back fromthat day (a transmission date). The user selects the option“photographing order” when the user determines a priority such that thepriority is higher for an earlier acquisition date (photographing date)of a clip.

Options “regular order” and “reverse order” are displayed in associationwith the item “photographing order”. The user selects the option“regular order” when the user determines a priority such that thepriority is higher for earlier photographing time when a photographingdate is the same. The user selects the option “reverse order” when theuser determines a priority such that the priority is higher for laterphotographing time when a photographing date is the same.

Options “this camcorder is given priority” and “no condition” aredisplayed in association with the item “photographing apparatus”. Theuser selects the option “this camcorder is given priority” when the userdetermines a priority such that a priority for a clip obtained as aresult of photographing by the camcorder itself (the camcorder 21) ishigh compared with priorities of clips obtained from other camcorders21. The user selects the option “no condition” when the user determinesa priority such that the priority is not changed depending on anacquisition source of a clip.

Options “automatic” and “manual” are displayed in association with theitem “priority”. The user selects the option “automatic” when the userdetermines a priority on the basis of the options selected in the item“date”, the item “photographing order”, and the item “photographingapparatus” The user selects the option “manual” when the user inputspriorities of respective clips by operating the operation unit 131.

Options “add later”, “transmit as a separate file later”, “discard afile being transmitted”, and “complete transmission” are displayed inassociation with the item “treatment of a file being transmitted at thestart of recording”. The user selects the option “add later” when theuser suspends transmission of a file to the material using apparatus 29at the start of recording and, after the recording is completed,transmits un-transmitted data of the file, for which the transmission issuspended, and adds the file to files transmitted.

The user selects the option “transmit as a separate file later” when theuser suspends transmission of a file to the material using apparatus 29at the start of recording and, after the recording is completed,transmits data of the file, for which the transmission is suspended, asa separate file from the top of the data. The user selects the option“discard a file being transmitted” when the user discards (deletes)transmitted data of a file being transmitted to the material usingapparatus 29 at the start of recording from the material using apparatus29. The user selects the option “complete transmission” when the usertransmits all data of the file being transmitted to the material usingapparatus 29 and, then, starts recording.

An example of a transmission object clip to be registered in thetransmission list will be explained with reference to FIG. 26.

In a table in FIG. 26, a UMID, photographing time, and an apparatus IDof a clip are shown in order from the left side. Although the UMID isactually a number, in FIG. 26, for convenience of explanation, UMID#1 toUMID#4 are used instead numbers.

In the example in FIG. 26, clips with UMID#1 to UMID#4 are transmissionobjects. The clip with UMID#1 is a clip obtained as a result of beingphotographed by the camcorder 21 with an apparatus ID “CID#2” at 9:50:15on that day (a date of transmission). The clip with UMID#3 is a clipobtained as a result of being photographed by the camcorder 21 with anapparatus ID “CID#2” at 10:10:24 on that day.

The clip with UMID#4 is a clip obtained as a result of beingphotographed by the camcorder 21 with an apparatus ID “CID#1” at10:25:30 on that day. The clip with UMID#2 is a clip obtained as aresult of being photographed by the camcorder 21 with an apparatus ID“CID#1” at 11:25:05 on that day.

In this case, when, in a transmission mode, the option “transmissiondate priority” is selected in the item “date”, the option “regularorder” is selected in the item “photographing order”, the option “nocondition” is selected in the item “photographing apparatus”, and theoption “automatic” is selected in the item “priority condition” by theuser, the list managing unit 401 creates a transmission list in FIG. 27on the basis of the transmission mode.

All the transmission object clips in FIG. 26 are obtained as beingphotographed on the same day, that is, that day. Thus, the list managingunit 401 creates a transmission list such that a priority is lower asphotographing time is later, that is, a priority is higher asphotographing time is earlier as shown in FIG. 27. In the transmissionlist in FIG. 27, a clip with a higher priority has a smaller value ofthe priority. Clips are arranged in order from one with a highestpriority. This is the same in FIGS. 29, 31, and 33 referred to later.

In other words, in the transmission list in FIG. 27, a priority, a UMID,photographing time, and an apparatus ID of a transmission object clipare registered in order from the left side. Information on a UMID,photographing time, and an apparatus ID (hereinafter referred to as clipinformation) of transmission object clips is arranged in order from onewith earliest photographing time, that is, in an order of UMID#1,UMID#3, UMID#4, and UMID#2.

Transmission list creation processing in which the list managing unit401 creates a transmission list when, in a transmission mode, a detailof the item “date” is “transmission date priority”, a detail of the item“photographing order” is “regular order”, a detail of the item“photographing apparatus” is “no condition”, and a detail of the item“priority condition” is “automatic” will be explained with reference toFIG. 28. This transmission list creation processing is started when, forexample, an un-transmitted clip is extracted.

In step S221, the list managing unit 401 sets a count value L of anot-shown counter to 1 and proceeds to step S222. In step S222, the listmanaging unit 401 acquires clip metadata of a clip obtained as a resultof being photographed (L−1) days, which is a value obtained by deducting1 from the count value L, before the present date among un-transmittedclips and registers clip information in a transmission list on the basisof the clip metadata. In other words, the list managing unit 401registers the clip obtained as a result of being photographed (L−1) daysbefore the present among the un-transmitted clips in the transmissionlist as a transmission object.

After the processing in step S222, the list managing unit 401 proceedsto step S223. The list managing unit 401 rearranges the clip informationregistered in the transmission list in the immediately preceding stepS222 in order from a clip with earliest photographing time. For example,when clip information of the clips shown in FIG. 26 is registered in thetransmission list, the list managing unit 401 rearranges this clipinformation in order from a clip with earliest photographing time andcreates the transmission list shown in FIG. 27.

After the processing in step S223, the list managing unit 401 proceedsto step S224. The list managing unit 401 judges whether clip informationof all transmission object clips have been registered in thetransmission list. When it is judged that the clip information of allthe transmission object clips have not been registered in thetransmission list, the list managing unit 401 proceeds to step S225. Instep S225, the list managing unit 401 increments the count value L by 1,returns to step S222, and repeats the processing described above.

On the other hand, when it is judged in step S224 that the clipinformation of all the transmission object clips have been registered inthe transmission list, the processing is completed.

When, in a transmission mode, the option “transmission date priority” isselected in the item “date”, the option “regular order” is selected inthe item “photographing order”, the option “no condition” is selected inthe item “photographing apparatus”, and the option “automatic” isselected in the item “priority condition” by the user, the list managingunit 401 creates a transmission list in FIG. 29 on the basis of thetransmission mode.

All the transmission object clips in FIG. 26 are obtained as a result ofbeing photographed on the same day, that is, that day. Thus, as shown inFIG. 29, the list managing unit 401 creates a transmission list suchthat the priority is lower for photographing time that goes further backfrom the present time, that is, the priority is higher for laterphotographing time. In other words, in the transmission list in FIG. 29,a priority, a UMID, photographing time, and an apparatus ID of atransmission object clip are registered in order from the left side Clipinformation of transmission object clips is arranged in order from aclip with latest photographing time, that is, in an order of UMID#2,UMID#4, UMID#3, and UMID#1.

Transmission list creation processing in which the list managing unit401 creates a transmission list when, in a transmission mode, a detailof the item “date” is “transmission date priority”, a detail of the item“photographing order” is “reverse order”, a detail of the item“photographing apparatus” is “no condition”, and a detail of the item“photographing condition” is “automatic” will be explained withreference to FIG. 30. This transmission list creation processing isstarted when, for example, an un-transmitted clip is extracted.

Steps S241 to 245 are the same as the processing in FIG. 28 excludingstep S243. Thus, explanations of processing other than step S243 areomitted.

In step S243, the list managing unit 401 rearranges the clip informationregistered in the transmission list in the immediately preceding stepS242 in order from a clip with latest photographing time. For example,when clip information of the clips shown in FIG. 26 is registered in thetransmission list, the list managing unit 401 rearranges this clipinformation in order from a clip with latest photographing time andcreates the transmission list shown in FIG. 29.

In FIGS. 27 to 30, the option “transmission date priority” is selectedin the item “date”. However, when the option “photographing date order”is selected, in step S222 in FIG. 28 or step S224 in FIG. 30, the clipinformation of the clips is registered in the transmission list for eachphotographing date in order from a clip with earliest photographing dateand time.

When, in a transmission mode, the option “this camcorder is givenpriority” is selected in the item “photographing apparatus” and theoption “automatic” is selected in the item “priority condition” by theuser, the list managing unit 401 creates a transmission list in FIG. 31on the basis of the transmission mode. It is assumed that, in FIG. 31,an apparatus ID of the camcorder 21, for which a transmission list iscreated, is “CID#1”.

All the transmission object clips in FIG. 26 are obtained as a result ofbeing photographed on the same day, that is, that day. Thus, the listmanaging unit 401 creates a transmission list such that the priority ishigh for a clip corresponding to the apparatus ID of the camcorder 21itself “CID#1”. In other words, in the transmission list in FIG. 31, apriority, a UMID, photographing time, and an apparatus ID of atransmission object clip are registered in order from the left side.Clip information of transmission object clips is arranged in an order ofa clip with UMID#4 that is a clip corresponding to the apparatus ID“CID#1”, a clip with UMID#2, a clip with UMID#1 that is a clipcorresponding to an apparatus ID “CID#2” not “CID#1”, and a clip withUMID#3.

When there are plural apparatus IDs corresponding to transmission objectclips other than “CID#1”, the clips corresponding to the apparatus IDsother than “CID#1” may be arranged in the transmission list in an orderset by the user in advance.

In the transmission list in FIG. 31, the clips corresponding to theidentical apparatus ID are arranged in order from one with earliestphotographing time. However, the clips may be arranged in order from onewith latest photographing time. An order in the clips corresponding tothe identical apparatus ID may be set in advance or may be set by theuser selecting an option of the item “date” of the transmission mode.

Transmission list creation processing in which the list managing unit401 in FIG. 24 creates a transmission list when, in a transmission mode,a detail of the item “photographing apparatus” is “this camcorder isgiven priority” and a detail of the item “photographing condition” is“automatic” will be explained with reference to FIG. 32. Thistransmission list creation processing is started when, for example, anun-transmitted clip is extracted.

In step S261, the list managing unit 401 acquires, with anun-transmitted clip extracted as a transmission object, clip metadata ofthe clip from the transmitting unit 400 and registers clip informationin a transmission list on the basis of the clip metadata.

After the processing in step S261, the list managing unit 401 proceedsto step S262. The list managing unit 401 rearranges the clip informationregistered in the transmission list in step S261 such that a clipcorresponding to an apparatus ID of the camcoder 21 itself is givenpriority (a priority of the clip is high) For example, when clipinformation of the clips shown in FIG. 26 is registered in thetransmission list, the list managing unit 401 rearranges this clipinformation such that a clip corresponding to “CID#1”, which is theapparatus ID of the camcorder 21 itself, is given priority and createsthe transmission list shown in FIG. 31.

When, in a transmission mode, the option “manual” is selected in theitem “priority condition” by the user, the list managing unit 401creates a transmission list in FIG. 33 on the basis of the transmissionmode and an input from the user.

In other words, the list managing unit 401 causes the LCD 112 (FIG. 3)to display the transmission list in which the clip information of thetransmission object clips in FIG. 26 is registered. The user operatesthe operation unit 131 to input priorities of the respective clips whilelooking at the transmission list. The list managing unit 401 creates thetransmission list in FIG. 33 on the basis of a communication operationsignal indicating the operation.

In the transmission list in FIG. 33, a priority, UMID, photographingtime, an apparatus ID, and a priority inputted by the user (in FIG. 33,“manual input”) are registered in order from the left side. In theexample in FIG. 33, priorities 1, 2, 3, and 4 are inputted by the userwith respect to clips with UMID#2, UMID#1, UMID#4, and UMID#3,respectively. In the transmission list in FIG. 33, the clips arearranged in an order of UMID#2, UMID#1, UMID#4, and UMID#3.

Transmission list creation processing in which the list managing unit401 in FIG. 24 creates a transmission list when, in a transmission mode,a detail of the item “priority condition” is “automatic” will beexplained with reference to FIG. 34. This transmission list creationprocessing is started when, for example, an un-transmitted clip isextracted.

In step S281, the list managing unit 401 acquires, with anun-transmitted clip extracted set as a transmission object, clipmetadata of the clip from the transmitting unit 400 and registers clipinformation in a transmission list on the basis of the clip metadata.After the processing in step S281, the list managing unit 401 proceedsto step S282. The list managing unit 401 reads out the transmissionlist, in which the clip information of the transmission object clips isregistered in step S281, from the list storing unit 310 and causes theLCD 112 to display the transmission list.

In this case, the user operates the operation unit 131 while looking atthe transmission list displayed on the LCD 112 and inputs prioritieswith respect to the respective clips of the clip information registeredin the transmission list.

After the processing in step 282, in step S283, the list managing unit401 judges, on the basis of a communication operation signal from theoperation unit 131, whether priorities have been inputted with respectto all the clips of the clip information registered in the transmissionlist. When it is judged that priorities have not been inputted withrespect to all the clips, the list managing unit 401 stands by untilpriorities are inputted.

On the other hand, when it is judged in step S283 that priorities havebeen inputted with respect to all the clips of the clip informationregistered in the transmission list, the list managing unit 401 proceedsto step S284. The list managing unit 401 rearranges the clip informationof the transmission object clips registered in the transmission list instep S281 in order from a clip with a highest priority inputted by theuser. In this case, the list managing unit 401 adds the prioritiesinputted by the user to the clip information corresponding to thepriorities in the transmission list.

For example, when clip information of the clips shown in FIG. 26 isregistered in the transmission list, the list managing unit 401rearranges the clip information in order from a clip with a highestpriority inputted by the user and creates the transmission list shown inFIG. 33.

Recording processing in which the camcorder-information transmittingunit 291 in FIG. 24 records respective data of a clip obtained as aresult of photographing when, in a transmission mode, a detail of theitem “treatment of a file being transmitted at the start of recording”is “add later” will be explained with reference to FIG. 35. Thisrecording processing is started when, for example, a control signal forrecording a clip supplied from the material using apparatus 29 issupplied to the control unit 403.

In step S301, the transmitting unit 400 judges, according to a commandfrom the control unit 403, whether data of a clip recorded in theremovable medium 33 is being transmitted. When it is judged that thedata of the clip is being transmitted, the transmitting unit 400proceeds to step S302. The transmitting unit 400 calculates, on thebasis of a size of the data of the clip being transmitted andcommunication speed in the network 31 and the intranet 32, atransmission time necessary for transmission of the data of the clipbeing transmitted.

After the processing in step S302, the transmitting unit 400 proceeds tostep S303. The transmitting unit 400 judges whether remaining time oftransmission, that is, time obtained by deducting time from the start ofthe transmission of the clip being transmitted until the present fromthe transmission time calculated in step S302 is equal to or longer thana set time (e.g., ten seconds). When it is judged in step S303 that theremaining time of transmission is equal to or longer than the set time,the transmitting unit 400 proceeds to step S304. The transmitting unit400 stores a position where the transmission is suspended (e.g., a framenumber) (hereinafter referred to as suspension position), gives a newUMID to a file of the clip for which the transmission is suspended, andtransmits the UMID to the material using apparatus 29.

In this case, the data acquiring unit 324 (FIG. 15) of the materialusing apparatus 29 gives the new UMID transmitted from the transmittingunit 400 to the file of the clip, for which the transmission issuspended, received from the transmitting unit 400 and stored in thedata recording unit 325.

On the other hand, when it is judged in step S303 that the remainingtime of transmission is not equal to or longer than the set time, thetransmitting unit 400 proceeds to step S305. The transmitting unit 400judges whether the transmission of the file of the clip beingtransmitted has been completed. When it is judged in step S305 that thetransmission of the file of the clip being transmitted has not beencompleted, the transmitting unit 400 stands by until it is judged thatthe transmission has been completed.

When it is judged in step S301 that the data of the clip is not beingtransmitted, after processing in step S304, or when it is judged in stepS305 that the transmission of the file of the clip being transmitted hasbeen completed, the control unit 403 proceeds to step S306. The controlunit 403 performs recording of a clip obtained as a result ofphotographing and file transmission processing (FIG. 19) for the clip.

After the processing in step S306, the transmitting unit 400 proceeds tostep S307. The transmitting unit 400 transmits the new UMID given instep S304 and the suspension position stored in step S304 to thematerial using apparatus 29 and proceeds to step S308.

In step S308, the transmitting unit 400 transmits data (un-transmitteddata) after the suspension position of the data of the clip for whichthe transmission is suspended, which are supplied from the material-dataacquiring unit 300, the proxy-image-data acquiring unit 301, or themetadata acquiring unit 303, to the material using apparatus 29 andcompletes the processing.

Thereafter, the data acquiring unit 324 of the material using apparatus29 records, on the basis of the new UMID and the suspension positiontransmitted from the transmitting unit 400 in step S307, the datatransmitted in step S308 from the suspension position of the file towhich the UMID is given.

Recording processing in which the camcorder-information transmittingunit 291 records respective data of a clip obtained as a result ofphotographing when, in a transmission mode, a detail of the item“treatment of a file being transmitted at the start of recording” is“transmit as a separate file later” will be explained with reference toFIG. 36. This recording processing is started when, for example, acontrol signal for recording a clip supplied from the material usingapparatus 29 is supplied to the control unit 403.

Since processing in steps S321 to S323 and step S325 is the same as theprocessing in steps S301 to S303 and step S305 in FIG. 35, explanationsof the steps are omitted.

In step S324, the transmitting unit 400 suspends the transmission andstores a suspension position and instructs the material using apparatus29 to change an instance number of the UMID of the file of the clip, forwhich the transmission is suspended, to a number indicating thesuspension. According to the instruction, the data acquiring unit 324 ofthe material using apparatus 29 changes the instance number of the UMIDof the file of the clip for which the transmission is suspended, whichis received from the transmitting unit 400 and recorded in the datarecording unit 325, to a number indicating the suspension.

After the processing in step S324, the control unit 403 proceeds to stepS326. The control unit 403 records a clip obtained as a result ofphotographing in the removable medium 33, controls the transmitting unit400, and performs file transmission processing (FIG. 19) for the clip.

After the processing in step S326, the transmitting unit 400 proceeds tostep S327. The transmitting unit 400 changes the UMID of the file forwhich the transmission is suspended, transmits data of the file to thematerial using apparatus 29 from the top of the data, and completes theprocessing.

Thereafter, the data acquiring unit 324 of the material using apparatus29 records the file transmitted from the transmitting unit 400 in thedata recording unit 325 as a file separate from the file for which thetransmission is suspended.

In the item “treatment of a file being transmitted at the start ofrecording” of the transmission mode, an option “interrupt” for startingrecording while continuing transmission of a file being transmitted atthe start of recording may be provided. When the option “interrupt” isselected, the transmitting unit 400 continues the transmission of thefile being transmitted at the start of recording and the control unit403 records a clip obtained as a result of photographing in theremovable medium 33 but does not perform file transmission processingfor the clip. In other words, the clip obtained as a result ofphotographing is recorded but is not transmitted.

FIG. 37 is a block diagram showing an example of a detailed structure ofthe freeze-mix processing unit 292 in FIG. 12. The freeze-mix processingunit 292 in FIG. 37 includes an acquiring unit 501, a recording andreproducing unit 502, an input unit 503, a photographing unit 504, and adisplay control unit 505. The acquiring unit 501 corresponds to, forexample, the communication block 53 in FIG. 3. The recording andreproducing unit 502 corresponds to, for example, the recorder block 52.The input unit 503 corresponds to, for example, the operation unit 81.The photographing unit 504 and the display control unit 505 correspondsto, for example, the microcomputer 83.

The acquiring unit 501 acquires data concerning a freeze-mix image(hereinafter referred to as freeze-mix data), which is transmitted fromthe freeze-mix transmitting unit 312 (FIG. 14) of the material usingapparatus 29, as information on photographing of a sample image andsupplies the freeze-mix data to the recording and reproducing unit 502.The freeze-mix data includes grouping metadata, image data, non-realtime metadata, and real time metadata of the freeze-mix image.

The recording and reproducing unit 502 causes the removable medium 33 torecord the freeze-mix data from the acquiring unit 501. The recordingand reproducing unit 502 reproduces, on the basis of a designationsignal for designating a frame of a freeze-mix image designated as anobject of freeze-mix by the user (hereinafter referred to as objectframe) supplied from the input unit 503, image data of the object frameof the freeze-mix image from the removable medium 33 and supplies theimage data to the display control unit 505.

The input unit 503 receives, for example, operation for designating aframe of a freeze-mix image desired by the user as an object frame offreeze-mix and supplies a designation signal to the recording andreproducing unit 502 according to the operation. The input unit 503receives a command for photographing from the user and supplies thecommand to the photographing unit 504.

The photographing unit 504 acquires an image of a subject and suppliesthe image to the display control unit 505. The photographing unit 504causes the removable medium 33 to record an image acquired according tothe command for photographing supplied from the input unit 503.

The display control unit 505 controls display on the basis of the imagedata of the object frame of the freeze-mix image supplied from therecording and reproducing unit 502 to cause the viewfinder 80 to displaythe object frame in a translucent state and cause the viewfinder 80 todisplay the image from the photographing unit 504.

FIG. 38 is a block diagram showing an example of a detailed structure ofthe freeze-mix transmitting unit 312 in FIG. 14.

The freeze-mix transmitting unit 312 in FIG. 38 includes an input unit521, a reproducing unit 522, a freeze-mix-data creating unit 523, and atransmitting unit 524. The input unit 521 corresponds to, for example,the input unit 206 in FIG. 4. The reproducing unit 522 and thefreeze-mix-data creating unit 523 correspond to, for example, the CPU201. The transmitting unit 524 corresponds to, for example, thecommunicating unit 209.

The input unit 521 receives, for example, operation for selecting anobject frame of a freeze-mix image from the user and supplies aselection signal indicating the selection to the reproducing unit 522and the freeze-mix-data creating unit 523. The input unit 521 receivesoperation from the user and supplies an operation signal indicating theoperation to the freeze-mix-data creating unit 523.

The reproducing unit 522 reproduces, for example, according to theselection signal from the input unit 521, respective data of a clipcorresponding to the freeze-mix image indicated by the selection signaland supplies the data to the freeze-mix-data creating unit 523.

The freeze-mix-data creating unit 523 creates freeze-mix data on thebasis of the respective data of the clip from the reproducing unit 522and the selection signal from the input unit 521 and supplies thefreeze-mix data to the transmitting unit 524. The transmitting unit 524transmits the freeze-mix data from the freeze-mix-data creating unit 523to the freeze-mix processing unit 292 of the camcorder 21.

An example of a screen indicating a directory structure of a fileincluding a file of freeze-mix data recorded in the removable medium 33in FIG. 1, which is displayed on the LCD 112 in FIG. 3, will beexplained with reference to FIG. 39. Components identical with those inFIG. 5 are denoted by the identical reference numerals and signs andexplanations of the components are omitted.

In the example in FIG. 39, as in FIG. 5, the GROUP directory 215 and theclip root directory (CLPR) are provided in the removable medium 33.

A freeze-mix metadata file that is a file of grouping metadata of afreeze-mix image (hereinafter referred to as freeze-mix metadata) andgrouping metadata files (G0001M01.txt to G0003M01.txt) identical withthose in FIG. 5 are provided in the GROUP directory 215.

Specifically, for example, FIG. 39 shows an example in which image dataof a freeze-mix image of one group is recorded in the removable medium33. Freeze-mix metadata of the freeze-mix image is stored as afreeze-mix metadata file (F0001M01.txt).

In the clip root directory (CLPR), other than three clip directories(C0001 to C0003) identical with those in FIG. 5, one clip directory(C0004) for managing data of a clip corresponding to the freeze-miximage is provided.

In the clip directory (C0004), a master file (C0004C01.SMI) that is afile for managing this clip, an image file (C0004V01.MXF) that is a fileincluding image data of this clip, a non-real time metadata file(C0004M01.XML) that is a file including, other than apparatusinformation of an apparatus that has acquired this clip, camera setvalues at the time of photographing (acquisition) of the clip, and aphotographing date and time, non-real time metadata, which does not needto have a real time nature, such as information on an electronic mark(an essence mark) like an electronic mark list, and a real-time metadatafile (C0004R01.BIM) that is a file including real time metadata, whichneeds to have a real time nature, of this clip are provided.

The electronic mark is data indication a characteristic of an image andis used for specifying an object frame of the freeze-mix image.

The freeze-mix metadata will be explained with reference to FIG. 40.

As shown in FIG. 40, the freeze-mix metadata is described in the samemanner as grouping metadata.

Specifically, in the example in FIG. 40, in the freeze-mix metadata,following “title” indicating the item “group title”, “Mt. Fuji”, whichis a detail of the item “group title”, is described. After that,“category” indicating the item “classification”, “Freeze Mix” indicatinga freeze-mix image, which is a detail of the item “classification”,“original” indicating the item “original”, and “No” indicatingnon-original data, which is a detail of the item “original”, aredescribed in order.

After that, in the same manner, “date created” indicating the item“group creation date and time”, “2004/8/16”, which is a detail of theitem “group creation date and time”, “date directed” indicating the item“planned” of the item “photographing date and time”, “2004/8/31”, whichis a detail of the item “planned”, “date carried out” indicating theitem “executed” of the item “photographing date and time”, “2004/8/31”,which is a detail of the item “executed”, “place directed” indicatingthe item “planned” of the item “photographing place”, “Lake YamanakaPlain”, which is a detail of the item “planned”, “place carried out”indicating the item “executed” of the item “photographing place”, and“Lake Yamanaka Plain”, which is a detail of the item “executed”, aredescribed in order.

After that, “person directed” indicating the item “planned” of the item“photographer”, “Koizumi, Okada”, which is a detail of the item“planned”, “person carried out” indicating the item “executed” of theitem “photographer”, “Koizumi, Okada”, which is a detail of the item“executed”, “description directed” indicating the item “instructed” ofthe item “photographing contents”, “XXXX”, which is a detail of the item“instructed”, “description occurred” indicating the item “actual (memo)”of the item “photographing content”, and “XXXX”, which is a detail ofthe item “actual (memo)” are described in order.

Moreover, after that, “file title” indicating the item “title” of theitem “photographed material (file)”, “Mt. Fuji viewed from LakeYamanaka”, which is a title of a first file of a freeze-mix imageclassified into the group in a detail of the item “title”, “file ID”indicating the item “UMID” of the item “photographed material”, “XXXX”,which is a UMID of the first file in a detail of the item “UMID”, “memo”indicating the item “memo” of the item “photographed material”, and“XXXX”, which is a detail of the item “memo”, are described in order.

After that, as in the first file, the item “title”, the item “UMID”, andthe item “memo” of a second and subsequent files as well as details ofthe items are described.

Screens for designating an object frame of a desired freeze-mix imageout of freeze-mix images recorded in the removable medium 33 will beexplained with reference to FIGS. 41 and 42.

A screen in FIG. 41 is a screen for designating a desired freeze-miximage as an object of freeze-mix.

On this screen, on the basis of freeze-mix metadata of the freeze-mixmetadata file (F0001M01.txt) recorded in the removable medium 33, adetail of the item “group title” of the freeze-mix metadata is describedon a first line as a group name. In the example in FIG. 41, “Mt. Fuji”,which is a detail of the item “group title”, is displayed as a groupname on the basis of the freeze-mix metadata shown in FIG. 40.

Under the group name, a list in which details of the item “title” of theitem “photographed material” of the freeze-mix metadata are arranged isdisplayed as a clip list of a freeze-mix image. Specifically, in theexample in FIG. 41, a clip list in which “Mt. Fuji viewed from LakeYamanaka”, “Mt. Fuji viewed from Lake Kawaguchi”, “Mt. Fuji viewed fromLake Sai”, “Mt. Fuji viewed from Lake Shoji”, “Mt. Fuji viewed from LakeMotosu”, and “Mt. Fuji viewed from Ohse-saki”, which are details of theitem “title” of the item “photographed material” are arranged isdisplayed.

One black circle mark is displayed at the left end of the clip list. Theuser operates the input unit 503 in FIG. 37 to move the black circlemark to a position corresponding to a desired title. In this way, theuser can designate a freeze-mix image corresponding to the title as anobject of freeze-mix. In the example in FIG. 41, a freeze-mix imagecorresponding to “Mt. Fuji viewed from Lake Yamanaka” is designated bythe user.

A reproduce clip button 541 is displayed at the lower right on thescreen in FIG. 41. The user operates the reproduce clip button 541 whenthe user reproduces the freeze-mix image designated by the black circlemark.

When the user operates the reproduce clip button 541 after selecting thegroup title “Mt. Fuji viewed from Lake Yamanaka”, an image shown in FIG.42 is displayed in the viewfinder 80 in FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 42, a freeze-mix image corresponding to freeze-mixmetadata in which “Mt. Fuji viewed from Lake Yamanaka” is included in adetail of the item “title” of the item “photographed material” isdisplayed in the viewfinder 80.

Thereafter, when the user operates the input unit 503 and instructsdisplay of an electronic mark list, as shown in FIG. 42, anelectronic-mark-list display section 551 is displayed on the basis of anelectronic mark list included in non-real time metadata corresponding tothe freeze-mix image.

Specifically, the recording and reproducing unit 502 reproduces, on thebasis of a detail of the item “UMID” of the freeze-mix metadata in whicha detail of the item “group title” is “Mt. Fuji viewed from LakeYamanaka”, an image file of a clip of the freeze-mix image and suppliesthe image file to the display control unit 505. The recording andreproducing unit 502 extracts an electronic mark list from non-real timemetadata file corresponding to the image file and supplies theelectronic mark list to the display control unit 505. The displaycontrol unit 505 displays an image and the electronic-mark-list displaysection 551 on the basis of the image file and the electronic mark listfrom the recording and reproducing unit 502.

In the example in FIG. 42, in the electronic-mark-list display section551, on the basis of metadata of a frame specified by an electronic markregistered in the electronic mark list of the non-real time metadata, alist of information indicating a photographing point of the frame and amode of zoom (hereinafter referred to as frame information) is displayedas an electronic mark list. The metadata of the frame is metadata inframe units included in the non-real time metadata. As the metadata ofthe frame, for example, information indicating a photographing point,camera set values, and a title of the frame are recorded.

One black circle mark is displayed at the left end of the electronicmark list. The user operates the input unit 503 in FIG. 37 to move theblack circle mark to a position corresponding to desired frameinformation. In this way, the user can designate a frame correspondingto the frame information as an object frame. In the example in FIG. 42,a frame corresponding to frame information “photographing point A/zoomA” is designated by the user.

Moreover, in the electronic-mark-list display section 551, an executefreeze-mix button 551A is displayed at the lower right. The useroperates the execute freeze-mix button 551A when the user appliesfreeze-mix to an object frame designated by using the black circle mark.

In FIG. 42, the photographing point and the mode of zoom are displayedin the electronic mark list as frame information. However, a title of aframe may be displayed as frame information.

Processing for transmitting freeze-mix data will be explained withreference to FIG. 43.

First, a workflow of the user of the material using apparatus 29 will beexplained.

In step S401, the user selects an image file of a freeze-mix image.Specifically, in step S421, the user operates the input unit 521 in FIG.38 to display the screen (FIG. 8) indicating a directory structure of afile recorded in the recording unit 208 in FIG. 4, selects an image filein a desired clip directory 240 from the screen, and reproduces(displays) the image file as an image file of a freeze-mix image.

After the processing in step S401, the user proceeds to step S402. Theuser operates the input unit 521 while looking at the freeze-mix imagecurrently displayed and selects a desired frame as an object frame.

After the processing in step S402, the user proceeds to step S403. Theuser operates the input unit 521 to input a title and an instructionwith respect to the frame selected in step S402.

After the processing in step S403, the user proceeds to step S404. Theuser selects the camcorder 21, which performs freeze-mix, and transmitsfreeze-mix data to the camcorder 21. Specifically, in step S422, theuser operates the input unit 521 to display the screen (FIG. 8)indicating a directory structure of a file recorded in the recordingunit 208, selects the camcorder directory 233 of a desired camcorder 21,and arranges a clip directory and a freeze-mix metadata file of thefreeze-mix image in the recorded image directory 252 of the camcorderdirectory 233.

Processing by the material using apparatus 29 will be explained.

In step S441, the reproducing unit 522 reproduces, on the basis of aselection signal corresponding to the operation of the input unit 521 bythe user in step S421, the grouping metadata file 239 and the clipdirectory 240 corresponding to the image selected as the freeze-miximage by the user and supplies the grouping metadata file 239 and theclip directory 240 to the freeze-mix-data creating unit 523.

After the processing in step S441, the reproducing unit 522 proceeds tostep S442. The reproducing unit 522 reproduces an image file of thefreeze-mix image on the basis of the selection signal from the inputunit 521, causes the display unit 207 in FIG. 4 to display the imagefile, and proceeds to step S443.

In step S443, the freeze-mix-data creating unit 523 records, on thebasis of a selection signal corresponding to the operation of the inputunit 521 by the user in step S402, an electronic mark list of anelectronic mark for specifying a frame selected by the user as an objectframe in a non-real time metadata file of the clip directory 237supplied from the reproducing unit 522.

After the processing in step S443, the freeze-mix-data creating unit 523proceeds to step S444. The freeze-mix-data creating unit 523 records, onthe basis of an operation signal indicating the operation of the inputunit 521 by the user in step S403, data indicating a title and aninstruction of the object frame in the non-real time metadata file.

After the processing in step S444, the freeze-mix-data creating unit 523proceeds to step S445. The freeze-mix-data creating unit 523 creates, onthe basis of an operation signal indicating the operation of the inputunit 521 by the user in step S422, a clip directory and a freeze-mixmetadata file of the freeze-mix image in the recorded image directory252 of the camcorder directory 233 of the camcorder 21 selected by theuser. Specifically, the freeze-mix-data creating unit 523 creates afreeze-mix metadata file in the group directory 253 of the recordedimage directory 252 and creates a clip directory of the freeze-mix imagein the clip root directory 254.

The freeze-mix-data creating unit 523 creates a freeze-mix metadata fileon the basis of the grouping metadata file 240 supplied from thereproducing unit 522. The freeze-mix-data creating unit 523 transmitsthe freeze-mix metadata file and an image file, a master file, anon-real time metadata file, and a real time metadata file of thefreeze-mix image to the camcorder 21 as freeze-mix data.

Processing for performing freeze-mix will be explained with reference toFIG. 44.

First, a workflow of the user of the camcorder 21 will be explained.

In step S461, the user causes the viewfinder 80 in FIG. 3 to display afreeze-mix image. Specifically, in step S471, the user operates theinput unit 503 in FIG. 37 to display the screen (FIG. 39) indicating adirectory structure of a file recorded in the removable medium 33 andselects a desired freeze-mix metadata file (F0001M01.txt) from the groupdirectory 215 displayed on the screen. The user operates the input unit503 while looking at the screen (FIG. 41) displayed in the viewfinder 80as a result of the operation to select a desired clip in a clip list andoperates the reproduce clip button 541.

After the processing in step S461, the user proceeds to step S462. Theuser operates the input unit 503 to display the electronic-mark-listdisplay section 551. As a result, a screen shown in FIG. 42 is displayedin the viewfinder 80.

After the processing in step S462, the user proceeds to step S463. Theuser selects a desired frame from an electronic mark list displayed instep S462 as an object frame and executes freeze-mix. Specifically, instep S472, the user operates the input unit 503 to select frameinformation corresponding to a desired frame from the electronic marklist in FIG. 42 and operates the execute freeze-mix button 551A.

After the processing in step S463, the user proceeds to step S464. Theuser performs, while looking at the freeze-mix image displayed in theviewfinder 80 according to the execution of freeze-mix, work foraligning an angle of view (a composition) of the freeze-mix image and anangle of view of an image being currently acquired (photographed) by thephotographing unit 504. At this point, the user sets camera set valuesincluded in metadata of an object frame as camera set values in thecurrent photographing when necessary. This makes it possible tophotograph an image having atmosphere closer to that of the object frameof the freeze-mix image.

After the processing in step S464, the user proceeds to step S465. Theuser operates the input unit 503 and instructs photographing to performphotographing.

Processing by the camcorder 21 will be explained.

In step S481, the acquiring unit 501 receives the freeze-mix datatransmitted from the material using apparatus 29 in step S445 in FIG. 43and supplies the freeze-mix data to the recording and reproducing unit502. The recording and reproducing unit 502 records the freeze-mixmetadata file (F0001M01.txt) in the freeze-mix data from the acquiringunit 501 and records the other files as the clip directory (C0004) inthe group directory 215 (FIG. 39).

After the processing in step S481, the recording and reproducing unit502 proceeds to step S482. The recording and reproducing unit 502reproduces, on the basis of a designation signal corresponding to theoperation of the input unit 503 by the user in step S471, a freeze-mixmetadata file of a freeze-mix image designated by the user. Therecording and reproducing unit 502 controls the display control unit 505on the basis of the freeze-mix metadata file to cause the viewfinder 80to display a clip list. In other words, the recording and reproducingunit 502 displays the screen in FIG. 41.

The recording and reproducing unit 502 displays, on the basis of thedesignation signal from the input unit 503, the image file(C0004V01.MXF) of the clip directory (C0004) of the freeze-mix imagedesignated by the user.

After the processing in step S482, the recording and reproducing unit502 proceeds to step S482. The recording and reproducing unit 502reproduces, on the basis of the designation signal from the input unit503, the non-real time metadata file (C0004M01.XML) of the clipdirectory (C0004) of the freeze-mix image designated by the user. Therecording and reproducing unit 502 controls the display control unit 505on the basis of an electronic mark list described in the non-real timemetadata file to cause the output unit 207 to display theelectronic-mark-list display section 551 in the viewfinder 80. As aresult, the screen in FIG. 42 is displayed in the viewfinder 80.

After the processing in step S483, the recording and reproducing unit502 proceeds to step S484. The recording and reproducing unit 502reproduces, on the basis of a designation signal corresponding to theoperation of the input unit 521 by the user in step S472, image data ofthe object frame from the image file of the freeze-mix image. Therecording and reproducing unit 502 controls the display control unit 550to cause the viewfinder 80 to display an object frame of a freeze-miximage corresponding to the image data in a translucent state.

After the processing in step S484, the photographing unit 504 proceedsto step S485. The photographing unit 504 performs photographingaccording to a command for photographing by the user supplied from theinput unit 503.

In the explanations of to FIGS. 37 to 44, the user aligns an angle ofview of an image being currently acquired and an angle of view of afreeze-mix image. However, the user may align a color temperature of animage being currently acquired and a color temperature of a sample imageto acquire an image having a tone close to that of the sample image. Inthis case, for example, the sample image and the image being currentlyacquired are displayed in the viewfinder 80 as separate screens. Theuser compares the sample image and the image being currently acquiredand adjusts the color temperatures.

The display control unit 505 may cause the viewfinder 80 to displaycamera set values and the user may adjust the color temperatures withreference to the camera set values displayed in the viewfinder 80.

As described above, the freeze-mix image is displayed in the viewfinder80 in a translucent state. Thus, the user aligns, while looking at thefreeze-mix image, an angle of view of an image being currently acquiredwith an angle of view of the freeze-mix image and instructsphotographing. In this way, the user can acquire (photograph), using thefreeze-mix image as a sample image, an image having atmosphere close tothat of the sample image.

FIG. 45 is a block diagram showing an example of a detailed structure ofthe tape-like reproduction unit 293 in FIG. 12.

The tape-like reproduction unit 293 in FIG. 45 includes a control unit571, a reproduction-list storing unit 572, a reproducing unit 573, and ajudging unit 574. The control unit 571, the recording unit 572, thereproduction-list storing unit 572, the reproducing unit 573, and thejudging unit 574 correspond to, for example, the microcomputer 106 inFIG. 3.

The control unit 571 detects (judges) whether a new clip is recorded inthe removable medium 33 and reads out a UMID of the clip recorded anewfrom the removable medium 33. The control unit 571 supplies the UMID tothe reproduction-list storing unit 572. The reproduction-list storingunit 572 stores a reproduction list, which is a list of a reproductionobject clip. The reproduction-list storing unit 572 registers the UMIDsupplied from the control unit 571 in a reproduction list.

The reproducing unit 573 reads out the reproduction list from thereproduction-list storing unit 572. The reproducing unit 573 reproducesa clip from the removable medium 33 in a tape-like manner on the basisof the reproduction list and outputs an image and sound corresponding tothe clip.

The judging unit 574 judges, on the basis of the freeze-mix metadatafile (F0001M01.txt) recorded in the removable medium 33, whether theUMID registered in the reproduction list of the reproduction-liststoring unit 572 is a UMID of a clip of a freeze-mix image and deletesthe UMID of the clip of the freeze-mix image.

The deletion of a UMID performed by the judging unit 574 will beexplained with reference to FIGS. 46A and 46B.

First, it is assumed that a reproduction list shown in FIG. 46A isstored in the reproduction-list storing unit 572. In other words, UMID#1to UMID#5 are registered in the reproduction list stored in thereproduction-list storing unit 572.

When the judging unit 574 judges that a UMID of the clip of thefreeze-mix image is UMID#3 on the basis of the freeze-mix metadata file(F0001M01.txt) recorded in the removable medium 33, the judging unit 574deletes UMID#3 in the reproduction list in FIG. 46A. As a result, thereproduction list stored in the reproduction-list storing unit 572changes to a reproduction list shown in FIG. 46B.

Registration processing in which the tape-like reproduction unit 293registers a UMID in the reproduction list will be explained withreference to FIG. 47.

In step S501, the control unit 571 judges whether a new clip has beenrecorded in the removable medium 33. When it is judged that a new cliphas not been recorded, the control unit 571 stands by until it is judgedthat a new clip has been recorded.

On the other hand, when it is judged in step S501 that a new clip hasbeen recorded, the control unit 571 supplies a UMID of the clip to thereproduction-list storing unit 572 and proceeds to step S502. In stepS502, the reproduction-list storing unit 572 registers the UMID of theclip supplied from the control unit 571 in the reproduction list andcompletes the processing.

FIG. 48 is a flowchart for explaining deletion processing in which thetape-like reproduction unit 293 in FIG. 45 deletes a UMID from thereproduction list. This deletion processing is started when, forexample, a new UMID is registered in the reproduction list in step S502in FIG. 47.

In step S521, the judging unit 574 judges whether a new file has beenrecorded in the group directory 215 (FIG. 39) of the removable medium33. When it is judged that a new file has not been recorded, the judgingunit 574 completes the processing.

On the other hand, when it is judged in step S521 that a new file hasbeen recorded in the group directory 215 of the removable medium 33, thejudging unit 574 proceeds to step S522. The judging unit 574 detects atype of the file (a freeze-mix metadata file or a grouping metadatafile) and proceeds to step S523.

In step S523, the judging unit 574 judges, on the basis of the typedetected in step S522, whether there is a freeze-mix metadata file inthe file recorded in the group directory 215 anew. When it is judgedthat there is no freeze-mix metadata file, the judging unit 574completes the processing.

On the other hand, when it is judged in step S523 that there is afreeze-mix metadata file, the judging unit 574 proceeds to step S524.The judging unit 574 detects a UMID of the clip of the freeze-mix imageon the basis of the freeze-mix metadata file and deletes the UMID fromthe reproduction list of the reproduction-list storing unit 572.

Communication between the camcorder 21 and the material using apparatus29 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 49 to 51.

FIG. 49 is a block diagram showing an example of constitutions offunctions of the camcorder 21 for performing communication with thematerial using apparatus 29. FIG. 49 shows all or a part ofconstitutions of functions of the transmitting unit 306 (400) and thereceiving unit 307 of the camcorder-information transmitting unit 291 inFIG. 12 and the acquiring unit 501 in FIG. 37.

The camcorder 21 in FIG. 49 includes a detecting unit 601, atransmission judging unit 602, a reception judging unit 603, and apower-supply control unit 604. The detecting unit 601, the transmissionjudging unit 602, the reception judging unit 603, and the power-supplycontrol unit 604 correspond to, for example, the microcomputer 134 inFIG. 3.

The detecting unit 601 detects the access point 23 and supplies a resultof the detection to the transmission judging unit 602. The transmissionjudging unit 602 transmits, according to the detection result from thedetecting unit 601, data that should be transmitted (e.g., stateinformation and respective data of a clip) to the material usingapparatus 29. The transmission judging unit 602 notifies thepower-supply control unit 604 that there is the data that should betransmitted and notifies the reception judging unit 603 that thetransmission is completed or there is no data that should betransmitted.

The reception judging unit 603 receives, according to the notificationfrom the transmission judging unit 602, data (e.g., freeze-mix data)transmitted from the material using apparatus 29. The reception judgingunit 603 notifies the power-supply control unit 604 that there is datato be transmitted from the material using apparatus 29 and that thereception is completed or there is no data to be transmitted from thematerial using apparatus 29.

The power-supply control unit 604 generates, according to the detectionresult from the detecting unit 601 or the notification from thetransmission judging unit 602 or the reception judging unit 603, a powersupply control signal for controlling supply of power to the recorderblock 52 and supplies the power supply control signal to the powersupply block 54.

Power supply control processing in which the camcorder 21 supplies powerto the recorder block 52 will be explained with reference to FIG. 50.This power supply control processing is started when, for example, thepower supply for the camcorder 21 is turned on, that is, when power issupplied to the power supply unit 151.

In step S601, the detecting unit 601 detects the access point 23 in FIG.1, supplies a result of the detection to the transmission judging unit602, and proceeds to step S602. In step S602, the detecting unit 601judges whether the access point 23 has been successfully detected andsupplies a result of the detection to the transmission judging unit 602.When it is judged in step S602 that the access point 23 has not beensuccessfully detected, the detecting unit 601 stands by until the accesspoint 23 is successfully detected.

On the other hand, when it is judged in step S602 that the access point23 has been successfully detected, the transmission judging unit 602proceeds to step S603. The transmission judging unit 602 startsconnection to the network 31 via the access point 23 and proceeds tostep S604.

In step S604, the transmission judging unit 602 requests the materialusing apparatus 29 to start communication and proceeds to step S605.

In step S605, the transmission judging unit 602 judges whether there isdata that should be transmitted. When it is judged that there is datathat should be transmitted, the transmission judging unit 602 proceedsto step S606.

Instep S606, the power-supply control unit 604 generates a power supplycontrol signal for turning on the power supply for the recorder block52, supplies the power supply control signal to the power supply block54 to turn on the power supply for the recorder block 52, and proceedsto step S607. In step S607, the transmission judging unit 602 notifiesthe material using apparatus 29 that there is the data that should betransmitted and proceeds to step S608.

In step S608, the transmission judging unit 602 transmits the data thatshould be transmitted to the material using apparatus 29 and proceeds tostep S609. In step S609, the transmission judging unit 602 judgeswhether transmission of all data that should be transmitted has beencompleted. When it is judged that the transmission of all the data thatshould be transmitted has not been completed, the transmission judgingunit 602 returns to step S608 and repeats the processing describedabove.

When it is judged in step S609 that the transmission of all the datathat should be transmitted has been completed, the reception judgingunit 603 proceeds to step S610. The reception judging unit 603 judgeswhether there is data to be received, that is, data to be transmittedfrom the material using apparatus 29. When it is judged in step S610that there is no data to be received, the power-supply control unit 604proceeds to step S611. The power-supply control unit 604 generates apower supply signal for turning off the power supply for the recorderblock 52, supplies the power supply control signal to the power supplyblock 54 to turn off the power supply for the recorder block 52, andcompletes the processing.

On the other hand, when it is judged in step S605 that there is no datathat should be transmitted, the transmission judging unit 602 proceedsto step S612. The transmission judging unit 602 notifies the materialusing apparatus 29 that there is no data that should be transmitted andproceeds to step S613.

In step S613, the reception judging unit 603 judges whether there isdata to be received, that is, whether there is data to be transmittedfrom the material using apparatus 29. When it is judged that there isdata to be received, the reception judging unit 603 proceeds to stepS614.

In step S614, the power-supply control unit 604 turns on the powersupply for the recorder block 52 and proceeds to step S615. In stepS615, the reception judging unit 603 receives data transmitted from thematerial using apparatus 29 and proceeds to step S616.

In step S616, the reception judging unit 603 judges whether reception ofall data transmitted from the material using apparatus 29 has beencompleted. When it is judged that the reception of all the data has notbeen completed, the reception judging unit 603 returns to step S615 andrepeats the processing described above.

On the other hand, when it is judged in step S616 that the reception ofthe data transmitted from the material using apparatus 29 has beencompleted, the reception judging unit 603 proceeds to step S611. Asdescribed above, the power-supply control unit 604 turns off the powersupply for the recorder block 52 and completes the processing.

When it is judged in step S610 that there is data to be received, thereception judging unit 603 proceeds to step S615 and performs theprocessing described above.

Moreover, when it is judged in step S613 that there is no data to bereceived, the reception judging unit 603 skips steps S614 to S616,proceeds to step S611, and performs the processing described above.

As described above, in the camcorder 21, when the access point 23 isdetected, the power supply for the recorder block 52 is kept on whiledata is transmitted or received.

In the camcorder 21, when the access point 23 is not detected, that is,when it is difficult to perform communication via the network 31, thepower supply for the recorder block 52, which reproduces or records datasuch as a clip to be a transmission or reception object. Thus, it ispossible to reduce power consumption of the camcorder 21.

When the access point 23 has been successfully detected, the camcorder21 automatically starts connection to the network 31. Thus, the userdoes not need to instruct start of connection to the network 31. It ispossible to save time and labor for the user.

In the above explanation, the power supply for the recorder block 52,that is, power supplied to all the units constituting the recorder block52 is turned on. However, power supplied only to the units used forrecording and reproduction in the recorder block 52 may be turned on. Inthis case, when there is data that should be transmitted, power suppliedonly to the units used for reproduction is turned on. When there is datato be received, power supplied only to the units used for recording isturned on.

Communication processing in which the material using apparatus 29performs communication with the camcorder 21 will be explained withreference to FIG. 51. This communication processing is performed in thestate acquiring unit 321, the data acquiring unit 324, and the controlunit 328 of the camcorder-information managing unit 311 and thetransmitting unit 524 of the freeze-mix transmitting unit 312 in FIG.14. However, in FIG. 51, for convenience of explanation, it is assumedthat the communication processing is performed in the state acquiringunit 321.

In step S651, the state acquiring unit 321 judges whether thetransmission judging unit 602 is requested to start communication instep S604 in FIG. 50. When it is judged that the start of communicationis not requested, the state acquiring unit 321 stands by until start ofcommunication is requested.

On the other hand when it is judged in step S651 that start ofcommunication is requested, the state acquiring unit 321 proceeds tostep S652. The state acquiring unit 321 starts communication with thecamcorder 21 and proceeds to step S653.

In step S653, the state acquiring unit 321 judges whether there is datato be received, that is, whether it is notified by the transmissionjudging unit 602 in step S607 in FIG. 50 that there is data that shouldbe transmitted. When it is judged in step S653 that there is data to bereceived, the state acquiring unit 321 proceeds to step S654. The stateacquiring unit 321 receives the data transmitted from the transmissionjudging unit 602.

After the processing in step S654, the state acquiring unit 321 proceedsto step S655. The state acquiring unit 321 judges whether reception ofall data transmitted from the transmission judging unit 602 has beencompleted. When it is judged that the reception has not been completed,the state acquiring unit 321 returns to step S654 and repeats theprocessing described above.

On the other hand, when it is judged in step S655 that the reception hasbeen completed, the state acquiring unit 321 proceeds to step S656. Thestate acquiring unit 321 judges whether there is data that should betransmitted to the camcorder 21. When it is judged that there is no datathat should be transmitted, the state acquiring unit 321 proceeds tostep S657.

In step S657, the state acquiring unit 321 notifies the camcorder 21that there is no data that should be transmitted and completes theprocessing.

When it is judged in step S653 that there is no data to be received, instep S658, as in step S656, the state acquiring unit 321 judges whetherthere is data that should be transmitted to the camcorder 21. When it isjudged that there is data that should be transmitted, the stateacquiring unit 321 proceeds to step S659.

In step S659, the state acquiring unit 321 notifies the camcorder 21that there is data that should be transmitted. When the camcorder 21 isnotified that there is data that should be transmitted in this way, itis judged in step S610 or S613 in FIG. 50 that there is data to bereceived. After the processing in step S659, the state acquiring unit321 proceeds to step S660. The state acquiring unit 321 transmits thedata that should be transmitted to the camcorder 21 and proceeds to stepS661. In step S661, the state acquiring unit 321 judges whethertransmission of all data that should be transmitted has been completed.When it is judged that the transmission has not been completed, thestate acquiring unit 321 returns to step S660 and repeats the processingdescribed above.

On the other hand, when it is judged in step S661 that the transmissionhas been completed, the processing is completed. When it is judged instep S658 that there is no data that should be transmitted, the stateacquiring unit 321 proceeds to step S662. As in step S657, the stateacquiring unit 321 notifies that there is no data that should betransmitted. When it is notified in step S657 or S662 that there is nodata that should be transmitted as described above, it is judged in stepS610 or S613 in FIG. 50 that there is no data to be received.

When it is judged in step S656 that there is data that should betransmitted, the state acquiring unit 321 proceeds to step S659 andperforms the processing described above.

In the explanations of FIGS. 49 to 51, when the detecting unit 601detects the access point 23, the transmission judging unit 602automatically starts connection to the network 31. However, connectionto the network 31 may be started manually. In other words, it is alsopossible that, when the camcorder 21 detects the access point 23, thecamcorder 21 notifies the user that an access point is detected usingthe LCD 112 or the like in FIG. 3 and, when the user having received thenotification instructs start of connection to the network 31, thecamcorder 21 starts connection to the network 31.

The user may choose whether connection to the network 31 is startedautomatically or manually.

In the above explanation, the item “transmission history” is provided inthe grouping metadata in FIG. 6. However, the item “transmissionhistory” does not have to be provided. In this case, for example, thetransmitting unit 306 (400) records data indicating that a clip has beentransmitted in the non-real time metadata file (C0001M01.XML) of theclip transmitted or changes an instance number of a UMID of the cliptransmitted.

An item “FTP site URL” in which a URL of an FTP site is described may beprovided in the item “transmission destination” (FIG. 6) of the detailof the grouping metadata instead of the item “website URL”.

As described above, in the camcorder 21, the transmitting unit 306 (400)transmits the data related to the image data before the material data istransmitted. Thus, it is possible to cause, in transmitting the data toother apparatuses, the other apparatuses to quickly grasp contents ofthe data.

In this specification, the step of describing a computer program storedin a program recording medium includes not only processing performed intime series according to an order described but also processing executedin parallel or individually, although not always processed in timeseries.

In this specification, the system indicates an entire apparatusincluding plural apparatuses.

Embodiments of the invention are not limited to the embodiment describedabove. Various modifications of the invention are possible withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications, combinations, sub-combinations, and alterations may occurdepending on design requirements and the other factors insofar as theyare within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

1. An information processing apparatus comprising transmitting unitconfigured to transmit image data and related data that has a dataquantity smaller than that of the image data and is related to the imagedata, wherein the transmitting unit transmits the related data earlierthan the image data.
 2. An information processing apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the related data is metadata of the image data, proxyimage data having resolution lower than that of the image data, andfirst thumbnail image data of the image data.
 3. An informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the transmitting unittransmits the image data, the metadata, the proxy image data, and thefirst thumbnail image data in an order of the metadata, the firstthumbnail image data, the proxy image data, and the image data.
 4. Aninformation processing apparatus according to claim 2, furthercomprising a creating unit configured to create, when a transmissiontime necessary for transmission of the proxy image data is equal to orlonger than a predetermined time, second thumbnail image data of theimage data, wherein the transmitting unit transmits, when thetransmission time is equal to or longer than the predetermined time, thesecond thumbnail image data instead of the proxy image data.
 5. Aninformation processing apparatus according to claim 1, furthercomprising a determining unit configured to determine a priority for theimage data, wherein the transmitting unit transmits, on the basis of thepriority determined by the determining unit, the image data and therelated data of the image data.
 6. An information processing methodcomprising the step of transmitting related data, which has a dataquantity smaller than that of image data and is related to the imagedata, earlier than the image data.
 7. A computer program that causes acomputer to execute processing including the step of transmittingrelated data, which has a data quantity smaller than that of image dataand is related to the image data, earlier than the image data.